Hawks beat CISF 3-1

On the second day of the 35th Liberals All India Hockey Tournament being played at Punjab Public School Nabha hockey stadium here today, Ropar Hawks scrapped past CISF New Delhi 3-1. While in the other matches Punjab National Bank New Delhi scored a thumping 5-1 win over Artillery Centre Hyderabad and Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala beat Kurukshetra University 3-1 in a well contested encounter.

In the opening encounter Ropar Hawks, who were trailing in the initial minutes, came from behind to get past an experienced CISF Chandigarh side 3-1 in a close contest. The security-men started the proceedings in a whirlwind fashion and went in to an early 1-0 lead through veteran centre-forward Prateek Kumar, who deceived the opposition defenders outside the circle and scored off a deflection.

In the second half international Dharamvir Singh, who represented India at the recently-concluded Asian Games in China scored parity for the Hawks 1-1 with a solo effort from the 25 yard line. They went ahead 2-1 in 58th minute through Manpreet Singh, who combined effectively with Gagandeep Singh to score with a hard hit from the left corner of the net. Ropar Hawks completed a 3-1 win in the last minute of the game when speedy winger Varinder Singh shot home from near the goal line.

Strong contenders Punjab National Bank, New Delhi made an emphatic start to their campaign overrunning Artillery Centre Hyderabad 5-1. Inside-left Damandeep Singh scored the first goal for PNB in the 9th minute. The Armymen hit back with an equaliser in the 15th minute through Pawl Lakra who converted an indirect hit following a short corner.

Thereafter PNB went on a scoring spree with field goals by Lakhwinder Singh (25th minute), Yudhvir Singh (42nd minute) and Rajwinder Singh scoring in the 50th minute from a short corner. The misery of the Hyderabad team ended when Yudhvir again scored with a fine effort from the left wing two minutes before the final whistle to complete a 5-1 cakewalk.

In the last match of the day Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala shunted out young outfit Kurukshetra University 3-1 in a fast paced match in which both teams exhibited fine skill.

Tomorrows Fixtures: Western Central Railway Jabalpur VS Spots Hostel Lucknow; JK Police Jammu VS PNB New Delhi; SSB New Delhi VS RCF Kapurthala.