PSPB set up title clash with CRPF; UP win opener
On a day when hosts and former runners-up Uttar Pradesh Hockey got off a flying start in the A Division of the 7th Senior National Hockey Championship, favourites Petroleum Sports Promotion Board and Central Reserve Police Force set up title clash in the B Division, notching up contrasting wins here on Friday.
Uttar Pradesh, which had second-place finish at Pune in 2015, outplayed Services Sports Control Board 2-1 in Pool A. Sunil Yadav struck in the second and 49th minutes, respectively, whereas Jugraj Singh scored for Services Sports Control Board in the 12th minute, at the Major Dhyanchand stadium.
At the Padamshree Mohd Shahid stadium, PSPB brushed aside Central Secretariat 5-2, whereas CRPF defeated Central Industrial Security Force by a solitary goal.
After goal-less first and second quarters, PSPB forged into lead through Vikas Sharma in the 35th minute. Right at the end of the third quarter though, captain Jayesh Jadhav equalized for Central Secretariat with a well taken 43rd minute chance, VR Raghunath’s smartly converted penalty corner brought PSPB back in the lead 2-1.
It wasn’t to last long though, Hassan Basha equalizing just one minute later. From thereon, PSPB went on launching a foray of attacks, and it helped Devindar Walmiki (56th), Jarnail Singh (58th) and Roshan Minz (59th) scoring goals. Contrary to this, both CRPF and CISF played majority of the tie in the midfield, with chances few and far between. Jayant Tirkey scored all-important in the 24th minute.
In other matches of the A division, Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd split points with Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, playing a 2-2 draw, before Hockey Patiala and Punjab & Sind Bank too sharing points after a 1-1 draw.
The trend continued and the Hockey Karnataka and Air India Sports Promotion Board drew 0-0, but then Namdhari XI beat Hockey Jharkhand 6-0 in the next tie of the day. Hockey Chandigarh had to struggle a bit before beating Hockey Haryana 2-1, whereas Comptroller & Auditor General of India beat Hockey Bhopal 3-0 in the last game of the day.