Holder Punjab and Sind Bank defeats BPCL in Gurmit Hockey

CHANDIGARH: Holders and strong contenders Punjab and Sind Bank and powerful Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited justified their seedings into the quarter-finals in the 36th Hutch S N Vohra's All India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Sector 42 Sports Complex here today.

Punjab and Sind Bank gave a hockey lesson to Indian Air Force by 6-0 and later in the second quarter-final played under lights, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, having big names like Sabu Varkey, Ravi Pal, Ravi Naiker, Prabhdeeep Singh and Sukhvir Singh Gill in their line-up, defeated Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited of Dehradun by 4-2.

ONGC cause surprise as they were the first to open the acocunt through  Anurag `in the 13th minute. Aftab Ahmed  converted a penalty corner in the 35th minute for ONGC's second goal. Bharat Petroleum took time to settle down and neutralised the lead in the 23rd minute when Joginder Singh converted a penalty corner. Four minutes later, seasoned campaigner Sabu Varkey put his team in the lead with a field goal.  Pundrik Bellary (42nd) and and  Amar Aiyamma (49th) contributed one goal each to end ONGC's challenge.

Prabhdeep Singh was declared Man of the Match and got a cash award of  Rs 2,000. Earrlier,  Punjab and Sind Bank had established comfortable 5-0 lead over Indian Air Force and they were in a position to affor luxury in the second half in which they got only one goal.

The bankmen started on a whirlwind fashion as they rained three goals within a span of seven minutes. within seven minutes of play and crossed over with a commanding 5-0 Speedy Parminder Singh netted three goals to fashion PSB's facile win. He was  adjudged the Man of the Match and  was presented a cash award of Rs 2,000.

A combined move among the PSB forwards Rajinder Singh, Mandeep Singh, Baljit Chandi and Parminder Singh culminated into a goal which put PSB in the lead with Parminder scoring in the first minute. Immediately in the next minute PSB forced a  penalty corner and Kuljinder Singh converted it in a smooth action after Sharanjit faked the shot. The bankmen continuted to press hard and Mandeep Singh gave a through pass to Parminder Singh who guided the ball into the net in the seventh minute. Then Parminder Singh struck against after getting a well-judged  pass from Kulwinder Singh. Immediately after the thrid goal Parminder was substituted by Major Singh. The rolling substitute imme made it 5-0 after getting an immaculate pass from Kulwinder Singh.

The lone second-half goal for PSB was netted by Olympian Baljit Singh Saini, playing as a forward, one minute before the hooter. IAF had their best opportunity to score in the second half but Balbir Singh's shot sailed over the bar.   IAF forced seven penalty corners, including three in quick succession in the 42nd minute. All were waisted. PSB got only one and converted it. Padamshree Pargat Singh was guest of honour.

Tomorrow's fixtures: Punjab Police vs Namdhari XI (4 p.m.) and Ropar Hawks vs Indian Oil Corporation ( 6 p.m.).