PSB and PNB set up title clash

Our Sports Reporter

Punjab and Sind Bank (PSB), Jalandhar, and Punjab National Bank (PNB), Delhi, set up the title clash in the men’s section in the ongoing All-India Sahibzada Ajit Singh Hockey Championship at the Prithipal Singh Memorial Stadium here today.

In the women’s section, Sonepat XI and Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, scored emphatic victories in their last league encounters to enter the final of the Nirpjit Kaur Gill Memorial Trophy.

On the penultimate day of the championship, the first semi-final (men’s) was played between PSB and Namdhari XI of Bhaini Sahib in which the former toiled hard to come out victorious 3-2. The winners were leading 2-1 at half-time.

Namdhari went into the lead in the 10th minute with Ramanjit Singh converting a penalty-corner. However, their joy was short-lived as the bankmen equalised three minutes later when Harbir Singh sounded the board.

PSB’s Sarvjit Singh added two goals (28th and 49th minute) to consolidate the lead and Harpreet Singh of Namdhari reduced the margin off a penalty stroke in the 53rd minute.

In the second semi-final, PNB overpowered ONGC 6-4. The issue was resolved via the tie-breaker as the two sides were tied at the end of the stipulated period.

In regular time, Jayanta and Diwakar scored one goal each for ONGC while Yudhvir Singh scored a brace for PNB.

In the women’s section, Sonepat XI overwhelmed Ludhiana XI 7-0 while RCF outclassed Gwalior XI 5-2 to advance into the final.

For Sonepat XI, Savita Saini found the target thrice and Neha Goel scored two goals while Pooja and Rakhi contributed one goal each.

In the second match, RCF, Kapurthala warded off a stiff challenge from Gwalior XI before wrapping up the issue 5-2. The winners were trailing by one goal at half-time.

For the losers, both the goals came off Kavita’s stick while for RCF, Anuradha Devi sounded the board twice and Harmanjit Kaur, Deepika, Lalreme Vatt scoring one goal each.