Air India win Bombay
hockey league

National champions Indian Airlines failed in their bid to win the Bombay Hockey Association league in their maiden appearence after being held to a goalless draw by Indian Oil Corporation in the concluding match of the tournament at the Mahindra stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

The result saw Air India finish on top of the 11-team league and retain their crown.

Airlines needed a victory to overtake Air India, who had completed their engagements on Wednesday, logging 25 points. But a resolute IOC defence kept their star-studded line-up in check and denied them full points. The one point they earned from the draw saw them finish with 24 points, in second place, ahead of Indian Oil, who tallied 22 points.

Ironically, Air India lost one match while winning eight and drawing one, while Indian Airlines lost none, winning seven and drawing three.

Last year's champions Western Railway finished a creditable fourth, with 22 points.

Shivendra Singh of Western Railway was adjudged the player of the tournament.