PSB, Bharat Petroleum in final

A scinitllating hat-trick by Jatinder Pal Singh helped defending champions Punjab and Sind Bank down last year's runners-up Punjab Police 3-2 and move into the final of the 19th Indian Oil-Surjit Singh hockey tournament at the Burlton Park stadium, in Jalandhar, on Thursday.

They will clash with Bharath Petroleum, who clinched a thrilling 7-5 victory over Air India, via the tie-breaker, after both teams remained locked 2-2 even after extra-time.

Baljit Singh Dhillon put the Punjab cops ahead in the 28th minute through a penalty-corner.

Having failed to capitalise on three penalty-corners, the bankmen finally got their act together in the second-half and found the equaliser, when Jatinder Pal Singh scored his first goal in the 37th minute.

Then the sluice gates opened as Jatinder struck again in the 39th and 51st minutes to put PSB in command.

The police men reduced the margin by a goal in the 62nd minute but PSB defended well in the closing stages to emerge winners.

Sabu Varkey gave Bharat Petroleum a rousing start, scoring in the third minute. Air India struck back in the second-half through Anil Aldrin in the 37th minute and Sandeep Michael in the 61st to go 2-1 up. But BP got back into the game with a last minute goal from Amar Aiyamma.

In the tie-breaker, the winners converted all their five attempts. Roshan Tete succumbed to his nerves and failed to convert his stroke as Air India bowed out.

Yesterday's report
AI, Bharat Petroleum score easy victories