Bangalore: It was teamwork to the fore as Sports Authority of India (SAI) earned their first victory in the Super Division (first phase) with a 7-2 mauling of Central Excise at the SAI South Centre on Friday.

SAI, who have seven state players in their ranks, ran the Excisemen ragged with a fine display of attacking hockey, aided by splendid midfield assistance and brilliant cohesion up front. Captain Nilesh KA opened the floodgates with a seventh-minute strike with a powerful shot from right, almost similar to his last-match goal against MEG. By the 22nd minute, the youngsters were 3-0 up with Nithin Thimmaiah and Nilesh adding to the tally.

Central Excise, however, kept their hopes alive with two goals in a span of nine minutes to make it 3-2. Aiyappa PC converted their first penalty corner (24th) while Bikrampal Singh brought off a stunning reverse-hit strike.

Just before the break, SAI got a timely fillip as striker Thimmaiah completed his double after a solo run. Three minutes into the concluding half, Vineeth Michael got into the scoring act by connecting an accurate cross from the left by Nilesh. The beanpole Thimmaiah was in his elements again as he dribbled past a couple of defenders inside the 25-yard line of the opponent half and ended the move successfully with a superb lob (45th).

The only blip in the SAI scheme of things was their penalty corner execution but they made up for their misses with a splendid variation goal in the 55th minute. Drag-flicker Deepak Bijwad and Somanna CK did the spadework before hardworking Mudappa MK effected a deflection to compound Excisemen’s humiliation.