Chandigarh: With India captain Sardara Singh in their line-up, Chandigarh Hockey Association XI beat Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, 6-4 in a thrilling second round day-night match of the 38th SN Vohra’s All India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament at Sector 42 Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.

The highlight of the match was a brilliant hat-trick by Rupinder Singh who scored all his three goals by successfully converting penalty corners in the 53rd, 60th and 65th minute. Earlier, Vikram Saini scored a field goal in the 9th minute to give CHA the lead. However, RCF hit back as Simrandeep Singh converted two short corners (14th, 27th) to give his team a 2-1 lead. Chandigarh XI restored parity when Vikram scored a fine field goal in the 33rd minutes.

However, CHA found it tough to keep the attacks of a spirited RCF side at bay. RCF made it 4-2 when Gagandeep converted a penalty corner in the 37th minute and then Deepak scored a field goal. Then came the turning point of the game as Rupinder Singh converted penalty corners in the 53rd, 60th and 65th minute. Kamal then rounded of the winners’ tally with a field goal minutes before the hooter. Earlier, South Central Railways, Hyderabad, defeated Border Security Force, Mohali, by 3-0 in another preliminary round match. The railmen from Hyderabad dominated the game and scored through Prabhakar (3rd minute), Amit Sirvaas (29th) and Mayur (55th, PC).