Railway Police prevail upon Vikram Pillay

Published May 25

B D Narayankar

bapun@sakalherald.com

KHADKI: Holding their game back at right time, giving slick passes and sewing intricate moves into the opponent’s danger zone – were some of the hallmarks of Railway Police (Pune) when they defeated Vikram Pillay Academy 3-1 in the Nine-a-Side Hockey Tournament conducted by Priyadarshini Sports Centre at the Ammunition Factory Ground on Thursday.

The seasoned Railway Police held back their game after scoring their first goal inside 10 minutes of the first half and in the second half, they studied their ship sensibly, blazing in two more goals, after tiring out the young turks of Vikram Pillay Academy.

However, the self-imposed restriction of Railway Police in the first half cost them a goal.

Perhaps the strongest point of Railway Police of converting penalty corners came in handy for them when forward Jitendra Chande drafted in the first goal into the right-hand corner of goalkeeper Sandeep Pal on a freakish deflection of the stick of one of his striker.

Immediately, Railway Police could have popped in their second goal, but was frittered away by Cyril Bennate, failing to trap a stinging pass by Rajesh Mari from just outside the box.

Taking advantage of Railway Police strategy to hold their game back, Vikram Pillay turks made a tricky move with Cyril Bennate dragging in a powerful hit into the Railway Police defense. Next moment, Akash Pillay pounced on the deflection and scored the equalizer for his team in the 16th minute.

After the scores were level 1-1 in the first half, Railway Police increased their pace and most of the time meandered into the opposition’s box.

They finally were lucky to pick the hole when Datta Shinde barged in with ominous pace, dribbling past two defenders and scooping the goal over the right-hand corner of Sandeep Pal, giving 2-1 lead to Railway Police.

The third goal was bludgeoned by Chande in the 38th minute after stopping the rolling ball coming his way on a penalty corner push from Rafiq Sheikh.

Pune Police, meanwhile, romped home, in a one-sided affair, thrashing Hockey Lovers 5-0 in the inaugural match.

The second match between Central Railways and Goodwill Sports Club ended in a goal-less draw.

Rakshak Sports trounced Indian Sports 1-0 in the third match of the day.

RESULTS: Railway Police 3 (Jitendra Chande 2, Datta Shinde) bt Vikram Pillay Academy 1 (Akash Pillay); Pune Police 5 (Amity Rajput 2, Mark Anthony, Vinod Nimbore, Umesh Pulgam) bt Hockey Lovers 0; Central Railways 0 drew with Goodwill Sports Club 0; Rakshak Sports 1 (Rohit Pise) bt Indian Sports 0.