SCR enters Super League, BP draws with Army XI

New Delhi, Feb 26 (UNI) In two edge-of-the-seat encounters today, the South Central Railway beat Sikh Regiment Centre 2-1 to enter the Super League while Bharat Petroleum (BP) forced a 2-2 draw with Army XI in the second All India Maharaja Ranjit Singh hockey tourney here.

After playing cautiously throughout the first half South Central Railway increased the tempo of the game and were soon rewarded by their first goal in the 41st minute when Bipin Thimmaiah successfully converted a penulty corner and made it 1-0.

But Sikh Regiment Centre struck back in the 61st minute through Harjit Singh who netted a forward goal to equalise and stretch the match to extra time.

The Railway team got the much awaited victory when Bipin Thimmaiah shook the board once again in the 85th minute to make it 2-1.

SCR will meet Punjab and Sind Bank in their first Super League match tomorrow.

On the other hand, in the opening match of the Super League phase the Army XI failed to beat Bharat Petroleum despite taking the lead on two occasions thanks to a brilliant individual performance by Len Aiyappa.

Rajesh Lakra made it 1-0 for Army XI in the 20th minute but within ten minutes Aiyappa equalised the goal by converting a penulty corner.

The Army team took the lead again in the second session and this time it was S V Sunil whom made it 2-1 (53rd min). But the never say die attitude of Aiyappa helped BP to level the scoreline once again and make it 2-2.

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