Bangalore: Pioneer Corps Training Centre (PCTC) took a firm step towards qualification to the second phase of the Super Division hockey league, edging out Central Excise 1-0 at the SAI South Centre on Tuesday.

In their penultimate tie in the first phase, ‘A’ Division runners-up PCTC notched their third victory and second in a row, to take their tally to nine points. After a goalless first-half, NM Manju netted the all-important goal for the victors in the 56th minute.

An exciting two days of action is awaited in the first phase, even as the battle hots up for the two slots up for grabs in the second phase of the league — commencing on September 27. Tabletoppers PCTC are all set to be challenged by MEG (7 points) and SAI (4 points), who both have two more matches remaining, and KSP (7 points), who have one more game on hand.

On the other hand, the Excisemen’s Super Division campaign is virtually over after their third successive defeat. With one more encounter remaining against MEG on the final day on Thursday, the Excisemen are almost certain to finish second from bottom, ahead of a struggling Centre of Excellence (CoE), who are already out of contention. The Excisemen had started off with a victory against CoE but subsequently lost the plot, faring against SAI (2-7) and KSP (1-4).