Chandigarh: Ropar Hawks went down fighting to Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) 4-5 in an absorbing first round match of the 38th SN Vohra’s All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament being organized by Rock Rovers at Sector 42 Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.

Ropar Hawks scored the first goal when Karanpal Singh converted a penalty corner in the 6th minute.

CISF hit back and neutralised the lead in the 19th minute through Compal Singh who scored a field goal. Then Mangra Munda scored two goals within a span of six minutes to give CISF a 3-1 lead. His field goals came in the 26th and 32nd minutes.

Ropar Hawks, who forced eight penalty corners, struck again in the 47th minute when Jagroop beat the CISF defence with a good try. For a dangerous foul by a Ropar Hawks defender inside the striking circle, CISF were awarded a penalty stroke and Bharat Kumar converted it in the 50th minute.

Six minutes later Compal banged in his second goal. Waging a do-or-die battle, Ropar Hawks scored two quick goals to narrow the victory margin. Sukhdeep and Jaskaran scored field goals in the 66th and 68th minutes.

Ropar Hawks converted two penalty corners out of eight awarded to them. CISF forced only two penalty corners in the 44th and 43rd minutes. They wasted both chances.Later, in an encounter played under the lights, Indian Air Force thrashed Punjab State Electricity Board 5-1 in a lop-sided affair with the latter virtually controlling the game.

Credit must be given to PSEB for keeping seasoned campaigners Indian Air Force at bay for 34 minutes before they conceded the first goal.However, after that the powermen were on the defensive and conceded more goals. One minute before the half time, Sanjay Yadav gave IAF the lead with a field goal. Two minutes later, Sanjay converted a penalty corner to make it 2-0.Sanjay struck his third goal and team’s fifth goal in the 60th minute. Raminder and Sanwar contributed one each to increase the victory margin. Amrik Singh got the consolation goal for PSEB in the 46th minute by converting a penalty corner.

Wednesday’s fixtures: BSF Mohali vs South Central Railway (4.15 pm) and Chandigarh XI vs Rail Coach Factory (5.45 pm).