The rubber was dead, but not the spirit. Another of good test was played at the Major Dhyan Chand stadium in the capital.

Yet again there was two contrasting sessions of play. The last of the five test matches against South Africa was played in the noon. As fitting finale, a thrilling match was witnessed by a sizeable holiday crowd.

There was nothing left for the visitors except to play for honour in the last test,as the serie s has been lost when India won its third match on Friday.

Like India tried in vain yesterday, Africans were on the ball in the first quarter of the match though it did not reflect on the scoreboard.

Ricky Ross broke the logjam in the 26th minute, five minutes later Ian Haley added one more. Even as Indians were trying to recover the situation, Miguel Da Graca came with another stunner, that is three field goals in just under 9 minutes.

One would not have hoped better lemon time, with three goals against the home side.

Like yesterday, the Indian press was expected. It came in the form of otherwise much-missing Yuvraj Walmiki (43rd minute).

Its Sardar Singh who snatched the ball near the 25-yarline and brought it to the circle before making alert Walmiki to do the rest

Six minutes later, Raghunath could score off team’s another of penalty corners, which Rupinder earlier failed with repeatedly.

At 2-3, the Indians sensed a comeback, and it was there when the series debutant SK Uthappa scored four minutes before the hooter (3-3).

The accompanying picture depict this goal scoring moment.

This goal was set up by Sarwanjit Singh, who could maintain a decent form in the series.

Indians kept on attacking but could not add another, first time in five matches a draw was there on the card.

South African coach Cregg Clark was not happy. He attributed to the cards that his team earned in the crucial phase proved to be their undoing

“Taine Paton getting a green in the 46th minute and then Rick West getting an yellow card suspension in the 63rd minute largely led to the Indians scoring”, he said.

“We expected a fight back from India as we have taken 3-0 need, and one full half session was to be played out. They fought well, and equalized, our aim was to contain such situations and we could not”, he said mater of factly.

The hosts came out strongly yesterday with four goals in the second session and today, scored three goals in the second session.

Indian team now gets a week’s rest and then assemble here on 31st.