By Satish Sharma

ROURKELA (8th December): Host Sambalpur University has strengthened its position to emerge as the champions of East zone inter university hockey tournament being played at the sports hostel ground, Panposh here. After the second day ‘s play Sambalpur moved to the to top of the table with the second consecutive victory.. While Sambalpur registered their second victory, Ranchi University suffered their second defeat. Sambalpur beat them with a tennis like score 6-0. In another match M.G.Kasheenath Vidyanpeetha Varanasi defeated Purvaamchal University, (Jaunpur) by a brace of goals.

The clash between the two U P teams – Kasheevidyapeetha and Jaunpur produced an exciting hockey to the handful spectators present on the ground. Jaunpur finished as the looser because they failed utilized the chances that came their way. They earned more penalty corners (7) than victorious Varanasi team (5) but all proved abortive to them. Varanasi succeeded in converting one of them. Md.Javed Ali drew the first blood for Varanasi team in the 45th minute. Four minutes later Harikesh Pratap Singh made it 2-0 by converting a short corner.

Umpires – A.N.Bihari and Bijay Lakra

In the second match Sambalpur University recorded a facile victory of 6-0 over Ranch University. Irshaad Mirza’s hat trick was the highlight of the match. Tousif Ahmed opened the account for the host team in the 11th minute by converting a penalty corner. Sukra Munda made it 2-0 in 21st minute again through short corner. Hereafter Irshaad Mirza took the charge and pumped in three goals within 13 minutes (26th, 31st, 39th). Amit Kullu complted the tally in the 51st minute.

Raju Saini and Peter Tirkey were the umpires.