TNEB go down fighting to HVPN

Chandigarh, Mar 24 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Eletricity Board went down fighting to Haryana Vitran Prasaran Nigam by an odd goal in a pool C fixture in the 32nd All India Electricity Boards Hockey Tournament held here today.

This was HVPN's second successive triumph, after having beaten Uttar Pradesh Power Sector.

Tamil Nadu got possession of the ball more as they enjoyed their territorial supremacy. However, their forwards lacked the killer instinct once they were inside the striking circle. The powermen from South India forced six penalty corners which they wasted. HVPN got four penalty corners which also went abegging.

The Haryana powermen forged ahead against the run of play in the 20th minute through a field goal scored by Balwinder. The lead shortlived as TNEB restored parity three minutes later through a field goal coming from the stick of Suresh Kumar.

Haryana again forged ahead in the 48th minute when Naveen found the target with a field goal.

In contrast, Chhattisgarh and Punjab State Electricity Board, Patiala, recorded facile triumphs in their respective pool matches in the tournament which is being organized by Bhakra Beas Management Board.

In a pool A outing, Chhattisgarh routed Andhra Pradesh Tranco, Hyderabad 5-0. Chattisgarh owed their win to T Shah who scored in the third, 46th and 53rd minutes and B Toppo who scored a brace in the 12th and 18th minutes. Chhattisgarh forced 12 penalty corners but could convert only two. AP wasted their lone penalty corner award in the first minute.

Punjab State Electricity Board proved too good for AP Genco whom they mauled 7-0 after leading 3-0 at half time in a one-sided pool B encounter.

The scorers for the winners were Kuljit Singh (23rd and 31st), Gurdeep (19th), Varinder Singh (9th), Kulwinder (26th), Hardial Singh (17th) and Jatinder Singh (33rd).

UNI XC DP PDS KN2005