Three Punjab teams in semis of sub jr Nehru hockey

New Delhi, Oct 29 (UNI) It was a Punjab day as three teams from the state made it to the last four in the 25th Nehru Sub Junior Hockey ournament here today.

Preventing the semi-finals to become an all-Punjab show, was former champions Birsa Munda Vidyapitha, Rourkela, who booked their berth in last four yesterday.

Springdale (Amritsar), Govt School, Harnam Dass Pura (Jalandhar) and Malwa Khalsa School, Ludhiana, had to battle it out against their spirited rivals before emerging victorious.

Springdale overcame another Punjab team, Mata Gujri School, Ferozpur, 3-1 after being levelled 1-1 at breather.

Ramandeep Singh gave Springdale the lead in the 13th minute, but his namesake from Ferozpur school drew parity seven minutes later converting a penalty corner.

Kanwar Subeg Singh put Springdale ahead gain in the 37th minute and Jujhar Singh completed the tally for the winners in the 50th minute.

In the second match, a brace by Gursahib Singh helped Govt.

School, Jalandhar, down Army Boys Sports, Bangalore, 3-1. The two teams were locked 1-1 at lemon break.

Bangalore took the lead in the sixth minute through Anthony Jesu but could not hold on to it fo long as Jalandhar equalised 12 minutes later when Hrjinder singh converted a penaly corner.

After the half time, Gursahib Singh struck twice, first in the 49th minute when he converted a stroke and in 53nd minute scoring off a penalty corner, to see his team through to semis.

The last fixture of the day was also an all-Punjab affair, in which Malwa Khalsa piped Govt. Model School, Ladowali (Jalandhar), by a solitary second half goal.

The all important goal was scored by Taran Deep Singh in the 47th minute.

In the semi-finals tomorow, Govt. School Jalandhar will face Malwa Khalsa School, Ludhiana, while Birsa Munda Vidyapitha will take on Springdale.

UNI