PNB, PSB enter Babu hockey semi-finals
LUCKNOW: Delhi’s Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Jalandhar’s Punjab and Sindh Bank (PSB) stormed into the semi-finals of the 35th AllIndia KD Singh ‘Babu’ Hockey Tour nament, notching up contrasting wins, at the Major Dhyanchand Stadium here on Sunday. PNB knocked out Sports Hostel, Bhubnewshwar 4-2 in tiebreak after the two teams ended at 1-1 in the regulation time, whereas PSB routed UP Hostel ‘Red’ 6-0 after leading by 4-0 at the break.
It was a dingdong battle between PNB and Sports Hostel, but the winner forged into lead in the 55th minute when Jitendra Saroha converted a penalty corner (1-0). Within four minutes time, Sports Hostel restored parity through captain Prashant Tirkey (1-all).
Gaganpreet Singh remained the star performer for PSB in the second game of the day as he struck in the 18th, 26th and 37th minute, whereas Sarvanjit Singh sounded the board twice in the 24th and 40th minute, respectively. Sukhjeet Singh had a field goal in the 26th minute.
On Monday, RCF, Mumbai meet SAI, Lucknow at 1.00 p.m., whereas Air Force meet SAI, Bhopal at 3.00 p.m. AYUSH WINS Young Ayush Mittal crushed Rishabh Manna 4-0 to win the UP Open Handicap Snooker Tournament, at the Green Baize here on Sunday. Rishab Manna (+24), who was playing his first ever finals, couldn’t match to Ayush Mittal’s mature, accurate and controlled game as Mittal won by 73-53, 77-47, 84-71 and 70-32.
The only point of excitement came in the third frame when both the players needed both pink and black to win and Rishab got an opening with a simple pot in the center pocket. Though making of black was on a natural angle, Rishab’s concentration shifted from potting to making thus missing a simple pink.
Ayush eventually, after a few safety shots, potted the pink and the black and went into the interval with a 3-0 lead in a best of seven frames match. Later, the fourth frame was just a formality as Rishab’s body language had defeat written all over it.
Earlier in the day Rishab was just brilliant in the semi-final. Pitted against seasoned and seeded player Vansh Punjawani (Scr), the money was riding all against Rishab. But having come so far he had no plans to end his journey yet. He totally dominated the proceeding from the word go and demolished Vansh 3-0.
In other semi-final Ayush faced Rohit Gangwar (+24). Rohit, who was playing his first ever tournament, was never really a match to Ayush’s superior game. Though Rohit did manage to win one frame but that’s all he could do as he went down 3-1.
RESULTS
Final: Ayush Mittal bt Rishab Manna 4-0 (73-53; 77-47; 84-71; 70-32); Semi-finals: Ayush Mittal bt Rohit Gangwar 3-1 (72-40; 43-81; 78-50; 51-45); Rishab Manna bt Vansh Punjwani 3-0 (74-64; 69-67; 91-41). FINE SHOW Lucknow’s Alok Bhatnagar staged a fine show at the ITF Seniors Tennis Tournament in the 45+ age category, finishing runners-up both in singles and doubles at Muzzaffarnagar. In the singles finals Alok was beaten 4-6,1-6 by the top seeded R Nagraj of Mysore. In doubles, Alok along with Vinod Seth lost to the second seeded pair of R Nagraj and Chandrabhushan 6-3, 2-6, 6-10.