Ramesh stars with a brace
VISAKHAPATNAM: S. Ramesh struck twice in succession to help host and holder Visakhapatnam District XI prevail over Bihar Regimental Centre (Hyderabad) 2-1 on the opening day of the second Vizag Steel Cup hockey tournament at the Port stadium here on Tuesday. Visakhapatnam made it to last eight.
Ramesh, who switched over from the right-in position to centre-forward, earned the lead in the first half. Ramesh latched on to a cross from left out P. Ramesh just outside the D to sound the boards.
He increased the lead in the 43rd minute connecting a cross from right-out V. Krishna Kishore almost from the same spot. Rameshwar Kujur converted a penalty corner for BRC in the 57th minute.
The next match and the day’s last engagement also saw a tough battle, between Visakhapatnam Port Trust and SAI STC, Eluru. VPT won 3-1.
A brace by the experienced G. Nelson Peter, in the 48th and 50th minutes, dampened the spirits of the Eluru boys.
But they recouped quickly and in the 55th minute I. Appala Raju put one past the port goalkeeper. Four minutes later K.V. Anjaneya Rao scored for VPT.
Vijayawada Hockey XI beat RDT Hockey Academy, Anantapur 3-1. It led first half 2-0 through goals by B. Jagadeesh Babu (20th) and C.P.N. Swamy (21st). After Babu John (38th) scored for RDT, Md. Abid Basha (40th) increased the margin for Vijayawada.