NAGPUR: Last year’s runners-up Dhyanchand Academy edged out Eagle Club 2-1 to start their campaign on a winning note in the Baidyanath Senior Division Hockey tournament at the Vidarbha Hockey Association ground on Thursday.

The chief architect of Dhyanchand Academy was Shaquib Pathan, who struck a brilliant brace to clip Eagle’s wings. The forward opened the account in the 28th minute. However, Eagle bounced back to restore parity when Mohit Kathote found the target in the 37th minute.

A couple of minutes later, Shaquib completed his brace to regain the lead for Dhyanchand. Towards the end of play, Eagle tried hard for an equalizer but could not break the strong rival defence.

On Friday, South East Railway will lock horns with Ambedkar College Sports Academy at 5 pm.

Earlier Ali Hassan, son of Paramveer Chakra Vijeta in 1965 Indo-Pak war Abdul Hamid, inaugurated the tourney. VHA president Radheshyam Sarda, vice-president Atal Bahadur Singh and secretary VK Trivedi were present on the occasion.