SAF Games

KATHMANDU : India's Kabaddi players, in white, block Sri Lankan K.P.T. Tushara, in black, during preliminary round of Kabaddi in the South Asian Games in Kathmandu on Tuesday.— AP/PTI Grapplers aim for clean sweep KATHMANDU, Sept 28 — Boosted by an extensive training regimen back home and a good track record in the region, the eight-member Indian team is confident of sweeping all the gold medals on offer in the eighth SAF Games wrestling competitions beginning here tomorrow. Nepal win all 6 karate gold Paddlers launch campaign in style 5 Indian boxers in finals Shooters begin gold hunt Sandeep, Satish Rai annex gold

Sunita Rani bags a double KATHMANDU, Sept 28 — A brave Sunita Rani showcased her enormous stamina reserves in capturing a grand 10000-1500o metres record double as India swept to five of the seven titles settled today to regain their stranglehold at the SAF Games athletics meet here. Nisha continues to reign supreme KATHMANDU, Sept 28 — Indian swimmers continued to the rule the pool, as Nisha Millet won her fifty gold with yet another record breaking effort, while the men’s quarter in the 4x200 m free style event were disqualified in the eighth SAF Games here today. Vijayan scores 2nd successive hat-trick KATHMANDU, Sept 28 — Mercurial striker I.M. Vijayan produced his second successive hat-trick to guide India to a 3-0 victory over Bhutan in a group-A match and consolidate their position for a semifinal berth in the 8th SAF Games Football Championship here today.

Bagan face Japanese club in 2nd round
CALCUTTA, Sept 28 — Top quality soccer is on the cards as formidable Japanese club Jubilo Iwata take on city giants Mohun Bagan in a double-leg second round exchange of the Asian Club Cup championship next month.

Mongia stars in PCC title triumph
CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — Dinesh Mongia, with his unbeaten knock of 94, enabled defending champion Punjab Cricket Club to rout Bishnoi Cricket Club by 48 runs in the final of the sixth J.P Atray Memorial Cricket Tournament which concluded at the PCA Stadium today.

• Holders Haryana take on Karnataka
• N Rly, C Rly sail through
• Ashoke finishes seventh
• Ashok in limelight

Klusener powers SA to 9-wkt win

NAIROBI, Sept 28 (PTI) — A scintillating unbeaten hundred by Lance Klusener powered South Africa to a thumping nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the game three of the four-nation cricket tournament here today.

Klusener’s 105-ball blitzkrieg, which included 11 boundaries and four towering sixes was worth 101 runs which took the World Cup semifinalists past the Zimbabwe’s total of 216 all out with 15 overs to spare.

The win gave the favourites their first points in the competition and kept them in the hunt for the title and would help erase memories of the unforgetful World Cup campaign — a last over loss in the semis and a humiliating defeat to Zimbabwe in the league phase.

Today’s win also indicated that the Proteas had got over the rustiness of the three-month lay-off.

“When someone bats as ruthlessly as Zulu (Klusener) did, there is nothing any opposition can do. It was a stupendous innings,” skipper Hansie Cronje said of Klusener’s innings which earned the Natal player the Man of the Match award.

Earlier, Zimbabwe blew away a good start to be bowled out for a moderate 216. Grant Flower (91) and Neil Johnson (35) put on 99 runs for the first wicket and were 170 for two at one stage but reckless batting helped the Proteas back into the game. Alan Dawson (3/36) and Paul Adams (3/43) were the most successful wicket-takers for South Africa.

With the wicket playing even, the target of 217 was not a tall order but the 174-run opening partnership which completely decimated the Zimbabwean attack made it a cakewalk.

Cronje promoted Klusener today alongwith Herschelle Gibbs and the two made their indications clear right from the start.

Opening bowlers Neil Johnson and David Mutendra went for 42 runs in their first spell and were taken off the attack after just seven overs. Spinners Andy Whittall and Grant Flower made no difference as both Klusener and Gibbs used their feet well and smashed them all around.

Klusener and Gibbs really stepped up the tempo after the 10th over and slammed 51 runs in the next five overs to take South Africa past the 100-run mark.

Klusener was particularly severe on leg-spinner Paul Strang, hitting him for 20 runs off his first over which included two sixes and two fours. Strang’s two overs cost him 34 runs that completely stymied the Zimbabwean spin attack.

The removal of the fielding restrictions arrested the run flow, but South Africa’s quick march was affected a trifle when Gibbs retired hurt with a sprained right toe in the 21st over with the score reading 125. Gibbs made 48 from 55 balls and hit six fours and a six.

Scoreboard
Zimbabwe:
Johnson b Crookes 35
Flower c & b Kallis 91
Campbell c Gibbs b Klusener 7
Goodwin c Boucher b Dawson 27
A Flower b Dawson 6
Rennie not out 20
Carlisle c Pollock b Dawson 0
A Whittall c & b Adams 10
Strang c Boucher b Adams 0
A Whittall b Pollock 1
Mutendera lbw b Adams 2
Extras (lb-5, w-11, nb-1) 17
Total (all out, 47.4 overs) 216
Fall of wickets: 1-99, 2-124, 3-170, 4-172, 5-186, 6-186, 7-198, 8-207, 9-213.
Bowling: Pollock 9-2-30-1, Dawson 9-1-36-3, Kallis 9-1-35-1, Klusener 7-0-30-1, Crookes 5-0-37-1, Adams 8.4-0-43-3.

South Africa:
Gibbs retired hurt 48
Klusener not out 101
Kallis b Guy Whittall 25
Cronje not out 31
Extras (lb-4, nb-3, w-5) 12
Total (for one wicket, 35 overs) 217
Fall of wicket: 1-174
Bowling: N Johnson 4-0-26-0, D Mutendera 4-0-26-0, A Whittall 10-0-46-0, G Flower 5-0-35-0, G Whittall 10-0-46-1, P Strang 2-0-34-0.

India keen to seal berth in final

NAIROBI, Sept 28 (PTI) — Buoyant after their crushing eight-wicket victory over formidable South Africa in the opener, India take on hosts Kenya tomorrow keen to seal their final berth within the distance in the LG Cup quadrangular cricket tournament here.

Boosted by victory over the West Indies in Toronto that ended their year-long title drought earlier this month, the Indians are on a roll and on current form should easily get past Kenya at the Nairobi Gymkhana.

The slow pitches aiding spin has given the Indians a distinct edge in the tournament and if their smashing win over Kenya in the World Cup league is any indication of relative strengths, they should wrap up the match without much ado.

But stand-in skipper Ajay Jadeja does not underestimate the capabilities of Kenya, who showed a late fightback against Zimbabwe before going down by three wickets in their opener.

“We cannot afford to be complacent, it’s very important we maintain the winning streak. Besides, the Kenyans are well conversant with the conditions here and cannot be taken lightly,” he said after nets at the Ruaraka Club here.

The Indian players took a day off yesterday, the only rest day during the league phase of the tournament.

India, who outplayed a rusty South Africa on September 26 with Sunil Joshi leading an outstanding display by Indian spinners with his dream analysis of 10-6-6-5, are unlikely to disrupt the winning combination with debutant Vijay Bharadwaj too having displayed his competence.

Kenya, who were thrashed by 194 runs in their World Cup league clash against India in May when Sachin Tendulkar hit a masterly 140 despite being weighed down by the grief of his father’s death, will be keen to impress at home.

Waugh serves warning

COLOMBO, Sept 28 (AP) — Steve Waugh, captain of an Australian cricket team under pressure to level the Test series against Sri Lanka, has told his batsmen their future on the team depends on how they play against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Waugh, known for his straightforward approach, met with his players today and held detailed discussions about strategy and psychological tactics two days before the third and final Test starts in Colombo.

“We have just got to fight hard and get back in there. We have got to play good cricket,” Waugh told Australian reporters after he met with his players.

“There’s nothing else we can do, there’s nowhere to hide,” he was quoted as saying. “Sometimes you are going to have down periods and our batters are having it now. We have just got to come out of it.”

Waugh, who led his team to the World Cup victory in London earlier this year, has opted for psychological tactics to try to win the final Test. Sri Lankan won the first Test by six wickets and had an advantage in the second Test, which was called off due to rain.

Waugh told his batsmen that if they fail to perform on Thursday, their future selection for the team will have to be reviewed.

Waugh has also done lots of talking about how not to get bogged down by Sri Lankan offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who has taken 12 wickets in three Test innings so far.

Waugh said Muralitharan is more at ease here and his natural game is coming through.

“He’s a good bowler, you can’t deny that,” Waugh said. “But I know we can play him better as well. ... If we can keep him out we know we are going to post a big score.”

The Sri Lankan cricket team, meanwhile, prepared to counter the Australians with total confidence.

“We are really back in business and the entire team is feeling very confident,” said Chandra Schaffter, the manager appointed after Sri Lanka’s dismal show at the World Cup.

Athletics

Sunita Rani bags a double

KATHMANDU, Sept 28 (PTI) — A brave Sunita Rani showcased her enormous stamina reserves in capturing a grand 10000-1500o metres record double as India swept to five of the seven titles settled today to regain their stranglehold at the SAF Games athletics meet here.

The 20-year-old Punjab lass, reigned supreme to win the gruelling 10,000 m in the morning at 34 minutes 38.72 secs to erase the old mark of 35:42.74 set by Sri Lanka’s Sujeewa Nilmani, who was also to silver standard.

Sunita Rani, the 5000 m Asian Games silver medallist, then recovered sufficiently by afternoon to cruise to victory in the metric mile clocking 4:14.23 which put to shade the meet record of 4:19.65 held by senior compatriot K. Rosa Kutty.

Twentyfour-year-old Sri Lankan sprint queen Damayanti Darsha clinched a brilliant treble as she raced away to the 200 metres gold with a new meet mark to add to her 100 m and 400 m victories with games marks on the first two days.

It was India’s day at the athletic arena as male distance runner Gulab Chand recovered from his 800 m misadventure to nail down the 1500 metres while Sanjay Kumar Rai captured the triple jump title. Gurmeet Kaur clinched the women’s javelin to complete India’s gold medal haul today.

Pakistan’s Maqsood Ahmed captured the men’s 200 m in a photo-finish with veteran Mahboob Alam of Bangladesh after both clocked an identical 21.15 seconds, pushing India’s Ajay Raj Singh to bronze despite a superb 21.19 sec effort.

India accounted for three of the four games records to tumble on the third day as they took their overall medal heist in athletics to a whopping 15 gold, 16 silver and seven bronze. They were still in a position to reach the Chennai tally of 21 on the final day of competition tomorrow.

India recovered after Sri Lanka’s overshadowing efforts yesterday, but Darsha continued her phenomenal show as she romped home to victory in 200 metres with a brilliant effort of 22.68 seconds, eclipsing the mark of 22.95 set by her illustrious teammate Susanthika Jayasinghe at the 1995 edition in Chennai.

India’s ageing sprint queen P.T. Usha, who has still not won an individual gold in the SAF Games, was pushed to the second spot by Darsha as in the shorter sprint.

The 38-year-old Usha defied age as she gave pursuit to her stronger and younger rival, but had to be content with the silver clocking 23.38 seconds while Vinita Tripathi sealed the bronze for India with an effort of 23.59 seconds.

In men’s triple jump, Sanjay Kumar Rai set a new games mark by clearing 15.87 metres to surpass the previous mark of 15.83 set by India’s B.S. Vinod in winning the event in 1995.

Gulab Chand, whose needless entry into the shorter 800 m race ended in disaster yesterday, made amends by winning the 1500 m without ado. The diminutive runner was briefly challenged by Sri Lanka’s eventual silver-medallist S. Jayavir, but Gulab Chand unleashed his powerful finish in the final stages to win at 3:50.06.

The men’s 200 metres race turned out to be a thrilling affair with the top three finishing almost in a line, forcing officials to go in for a photo finish verdict.

Pakistan’s Maqsood Ahmed and Mahboob Alam were credited with the same timing of 21.15 seconds, but the former was declared winner.

The 21-year-old Ajay Raj Singh and more experienced Anand Menezes, who were expected to fight it out for gold in the event, were a shade disappointing.

Ajay Raj Singh came third clocking 21.19 seconds in a creditable electronically-timed effort by an Indian sprinter while Menezes was pushed to fourth.

Swimming

Nisha continues to reign supreme

KATHMANDU, Sept 28 (UNI) — Indian swimmers continued to the rule the pool, as Nisha Millet won her fifty gold with yet another record breaking effort, while the men’s quarter in the 4x200 m free style event were disqualified in the eighth SAF Games here today.

India, who was expected to sweep all the six gold medals today, had won five, before they were disqualified in the last event. According to team sources, India was clearly 15 secs ahead in the final timing. But the reasons for the disqualification was not known.

The team manager might lodge a protest if he was not convinced with the reason for the disqualification. This left Pakistan win the gold, while Sri Lanka and Nepal bagged the silver and bronze, respectively.

India, who won five gold today, took their gold tally to 15 gold medals in three days.

Nisha continued to reign supreme.She and her compatriot Shikha Tandon finished one-two in the women 200 m free style clocking 2 min 12.37 secs and 2:14.87, respectively. Both bettered the existing record of 2:20.10 set by Dipika Chanmugham of Sri Lanka in 1991 games. Sri Lanka’s Daluwatte Redeesha won the bronze.

Results:

Men:

200m medley:

1.Sujith Ambikadevi (Ind) 2:18.40; 2. Zulfiqar Ali (Pak) 2:20.06; 3. Elivs Hazarika (Indi) 2:20.87.

400 m free style:

1. Kailash Nath (Ind) 4:20.29; 2. Sean Lee (SL) 4:35.27; 3. Eranga Jinesh Fernando (SL) 4:36.54.

4x200 free style relay: Gold-Pakistan 8:30.52; Silver-Sri Lanka 8:46.66; Bronze-Nepal 10:08.38.

Women:

100 m butterfly: 1 Richa Mishra (Ind) 1:07.66; 2. Chitra Krishna (Ind) 1:09.34; 3 Harshini Natasha (SL) 1:19.53.

100 m Breat storke:

1. Zeba Wadia (Ind) 1:19.09; 2. Shikha Tandon (Ind) 1:21.23; 3. Doli Akhter (BD) 1:26.58.

200 m free style:

1. Nisha Millet (Ind) 2:12.37; 2. Shikha Tandon (Ind) 2:14.87; 3. Radeesha Daluwatte (SL) 2:25.61.

Sandeep, Satish Rai annex gold

KATHMANDU, Sept 28 (UNI) — As expectedly India won both the gold medals at stake winning the 69 kg and 77 kg events on the second day of weightlifting competitions in the eighth SAF games here today.

While Sandeep Kumar won the 69 kg gold by virtue of lesser body weight after he came strongly in the jerk category to tie with Pakistan’s Awais Akbar with a total of 282.5 kg, Satish Rai won the 77 kg gold with a total lift of 320 kg (snatch 142.5, jerk 177.5 kg).

It was indeed a creditable display by Sandeep Kumar after he managed just 125 kg in the snatch and trailed Akbar by 7.5 kg in the snatch. Akbar cleared 132.5 kg in his third attempt, while Sandeep after clearing 125 in the second, faltered with 127.5 kg in his third and final lift.

But he asserted his supremacy in jerk clearing 157.5 kg in the second, while Akbar just managed 150 kg in his second lift, though both Sandeep and Akbar faltered in the third and final attempt attempting 162.5 kg and 155 kg, respectively. Sandeep’s effort of 157.5 kg helped him tie with his Pakistani rival and the lesser body of the Indian tilted the scales in his favour.

Sri Lanka’s Dammika Padma Kumara won the bronze with a total of 265 kg.

Results:

69 kg: Sandeep Kumar (India)1, 125-snatch+157.5 jerk=total 282.5 kg, 2 Akbar Awais (Pak) 132.5+150= 282.5 kg,3 Dammika Padma Kumara (SL) 115+150=265 kg.

77 kg: Satish Rai (Ind): 1, 142.5 kg+177.5 kg = 320 kg, 2 Iftikhar Qaiser (Pak) 130+160 = 290 kg, 3 A E Wijewickrema (SL) 107.5 + 142.5 =250 kg.

Grapplers aim for clean sweep

KATHMANDU, Sept 28 (PTI) — Boosted by an extensive training regimen back home and a good track record in the region, the eight-member Indian team is confident of sweeping all the gold medals on offer in the eighth SAF Games wrestling competitions beginning here tomorrow.

The Indians, who had claimed seven gold and three silver medals in the last games in Chennai, are determined to make a clean sweep with only Pakistan capable of posing any fight.

“We had been going through a tough training programme and the morale of the wrestlers is high. We are hoping to win all gold medals here”, Indian coach Lal Bachann Yadav said.

India rate Pakistan as their main challengers, in the higher weight categories in particular, in the three-day competitions where hosts Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are also taking part.

Bouts will be in eight classes (all freestyle). India’s Kripa Shankar (54 kg), Mukesh Kumar (63 kg), Sujit Mann (69 kg) and Manoj Kumar (58 kg) are all strong gold medal hopes.

Though Pakistan is considered strong in the 85 kg, Yadav pinned high hopes on Anuj Kumar Choudhary. “He has been performing well of late. The training at home and here should help him. We hope he can win this tough category”, he said.

Four of the Indians here — Kripa Shankar, Mukesh Kumar, Sujit Mann and Anuj Kumar — have been selected for the world freestyle championship to be held in Ankara from October 7 to 10 which will serve as qualifier for the Sydney Olympics.

The first two rounds will be held tomorrow and the next two on Thursday. All finals will be on October 1.

Vijayan scores 2nd successive hat-trick

KATHMANDU, Sept 28 (PTI) — Mercurial striker I.M. Vijayan produced his second successive hat-trick to guide India to a 3-0 victory over Bhutan in a group-A match and consolidate their position for a semifinal berth in the 8th SAF Games Football Championship here today.

The wily striker created a record of sorts by scoring the first of his three goals within 12 seconds of the kick off in a totally one-sided contest which saw the Indian forwards break through the rival defence time and again.

The injury-induced absence of key players like Bruno Coutinho, Prabhjot Singh and Deepak Mondal, did not seem to affect the Indians much as Vijayan and the other forwards combined well to put the pressure on their opponents.

Vijayan, who seems to be in great form here, gave the Indians the lead as early as the 12th second of the contest as he collected a long arial pass and placed the ball in after outwitting the defenders with deft footwork.

Nepal win all 6 karate gold

KATHMANDU, Sept 28 (UNI) — Hosts Nepal continued to dominate the karate winning all the six gold at stake on the third and final day of the competitions in the eighth SAF Games here today.

India bagged three silver and two bronze.

Paddlers launch campaign in style

KATHMANDU, Sept 28 (UNI) — Reigning champions India defeated Sri Lanka 3-0 in the men’s team championship to begin their campaign in style in the table tennis events of the eighth SAF Games here today.

It was not an easy going as the score line suggests as S. Raman was stretched to extra points in the first game by Thiliana Laknath Priyadas before winning 22-20, 21-16 to give India a 1-0 lead.

Chetan Baboor, India’s number one player, surprisingly dropped a game before prevailing over Indika Prasad 21-17, 17-21, 21-13 to make it 2-0. Arup Basak won the opening game easily 21-8 against Withanage Vindyan and lost the closely contested second 19-21. But he had to bring off his best in the decider to win 21-18.

The women paddlers also recorded similar 3-0 win over Bangladesh, Poulomi Ghatak gave India a 1-0 lead defeating Farhana Pervin Thumpa 21-11, 21-14 and Anindita thrashed Selvin Pervin 21, 21-14. N.R. Indu’s experience proved too much for Naumita Alam as the former won 21-10, 21-7.

5 Indian boxers in finals

KATHMANDU, Sept 28 (PTI) — Five Indian boxers, including Asian Games gold medallist Dingko Singh, moved into the finals in various weight categories of the 8th SAF Games boxing competitions here today.

Dingko Singh demolished Pakistan’s Mazhar Hussain with a comfortable 11-2 points verdict to keep himself on course for the coveted gold medal in the bantamweight category.

Another gold medal aspirant Z.V. Jollyson defeated Bhutan’s Karma Dedey to romp into the final of the welterweight category while Marendra Rana scored a facile 12-3 points verdict over Mohammed Rahain Ali to enter the final in light weight category.

India’s Mohammad Ali Qamar also faced little resistance as he got past Golzer Hussain of Bangladesh with a 13-4 verdict and enter the final of the light fly weight category.

Jitendra Kumar moved into the final by prevailing over Kiribanda Siriwardenage of Sri Lanka.

Shooters begin gold hunt

KATHMANDU, Sept 28 (PTI) — Indian shooters began their gold hunt at the SAF Games in right earnest by capturing both the titles in the women’s 10 m air rifle event decided at the BIS complex range here today.

Seasoned international Anjali Ved Pathak claimed the women’s individual 10 m air rifle title with a creditable effort of 500 points with Suma Dixit making it a 1-2 affair by clinching silver after logging 494 points.

Sri Lanka’s Pushpamali Ramanayake claimed bronze with an effort of 490 points.

India also captured the team gold in the event with Anjali, Suma and Deepali Deshpande logging 1176 points. Sri Lanka took silver with Bangladesh claiming the bronze.

Bagan face Japanese club in 2nd round

CALCUTTA, Sept 28 (PTI) — Top quality soccer is on the cards as formidable Japanese club Jubilo Iwata take on city giants Mohun Bagan in a double-leg second round exchange of the Asian Club Cup championship next month.

While the first leg would be played at Iwata city of Japan on October 9, the second leg is scheduled to be held on October 16 at the Salt Lake Stadium here.

Jubilo Iwata who finished on top of the first stage of the high profile J-league and was now lying 14th on the second stage, has a powerful line-up including three foreign recruits — Adilson Dias Batista of Brazil, Dmitry Radchenko of Russia and Roberto Ismael Torres Baez of Paraguay.

The centrepiece of their strike force is 31-year old skipper, Masashi Nakayama, according to the club’s manager, business control, Hideni Matsuzaki. Nakayama, alongwith Toshihiro Hattori, did duty for Japan in the last World Cup.

Nakayama was their highest paid player, earning an amount equivalent to Rs 3.60 crore annually, Matsuzaki, who alongwith team secretary M. Owata, was in the city last night to obtain advance information of arrangements being made for their stay for the second leg match here, said.

A third World Cup player, Nanami, was recently sold to an Italian club, Matsuzaki said but refused to divulge the amount involved in the transaction. Two others, Daisuke Oku and Takashi Fukumishi, have donned the national colours.

Jubilo had in its ranks players of the calibre of Italy’s Salvadore Schillachi in 1994 and Brazilian Dunga in 1995. It has a football budget of Rs 67.5 crore this year.

The 27-year old club, having its roots in the Yamaha Motor Company Limited Soccer Club, advanced to the J-league in 1993.

The club won the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup last year and finished second best in 1994 and 1997. It won the Tokai Championship in 1994, cornered glory in the J-league second stage in 1997 and walked away with the J-league Suntori Championship the same year. It also finished at the top of the J-league first stage last year.

Situated in Iwata city at Shizuoka in Honshu Island, the club has a 17,000 capacity stadium and runs six teams. The top team and the satellite team, each comprise 33 professionals.

Besides, it has a youth team (under-17 years), a junior youth team (under-15 years), a junior team (under-12 years) and a women’s team.

Matsuzaki said players of the junior youth, junior and the women’s team have to shell out money to represent the team. The club is served by 10 coaches.

He said he was satisfied with the Salt Lake Stadium but lamented that he had no information regarding Mohun Bagan.

Mongia stars in PCC title triumph
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — Dinesh Mongia, with his unbeaten knock of 94, enabled defending champion Punjab Cricket Club to rout Bishnoi Cricket Club by 48 runs in the final of the sixth J.P Atray Memorial Cricket Tournament which concluded at the PCA Stadium today.

The Bishnoi team won the toss and elected to field first. The Punjab team got off to a bad start as Sandeep was bowled by Sanjay Gill, Reetinder Sodhi was run out by a direct throw from Oniel Wilson, when the score was 50, and them Rathore was caught by substitute Randhir Nain off Oniel Wilson.

Ravneet Ricky and Dinesh Mongia played sensibly and were involved in a partnership of 86 runs. Ravneet after a patient knock of 35 was stumped by Vijay Yadav off left-arm spinner Gyanender Pandey.

Dinesh Mongia carried on at the other end and kept the Punjab innings together. He completed his 50 off 72 balls which included one six and five boundaries. In the last five overs Mongia ensured that the total goes passed the 200 mark as he struck three huge sixes and four boundaries in the last five overs. The Punjab team managed a modest total of 216 runs in the allotted 50 overs.

Replying to this total the Bishnoi team lost three quick wickets. They got a major blow when the in-form Virender Sehwag was caught by Lakhbir at the square leg fence trying to pull a short delivery from Sandeep Sharma. Ajay Sharma and Mithun Minhas took the score to 87. Ajay was timing the ball well and scored 36 runs off 46 balls with six boundaries.

Just when the going was good Ajay lost his cool and trying to clear the fence he was caught at mid-wicket off left-arm spinner Navdeep Singh. Navdeep gave a double blow to the Bishnoi team as he claimed Vijay Yadav in this very over.

The Bishnoi team which had virtually lost the battle tried their best to reach as close to the target as possible. Sunil Joshi (30) and Amit Bhandari 16 tried in vain as Bishnoi Club fell short of the target by 48 runs.

Mr I.R. Soni, Commissioner, Central Excise Chandigarh, gave away the prizes.

Brief scores: Punjab Cricket Club: 216 for 6 in 50 overs (Dinesh Mongia 94 n.o. Ravneet Ricky 35, Sarandeep Singh 25 n.o., Vikram Rathore 21, Gyanender Pandey 2 for 32)

Bishnoi CC: 168 all out in 38 overs (Ajay Sharma 36, Sunil Joshi 30, Mithun Minhas 28, Amit Bhandari 16, Gyanender Pandey 16, Gautam Gambhir 15, Navdeep Singh 2 for 17, Sandeep Sharma 2 for 37).

N Rly, C Rly sail through
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — Outfits from the railways were in the limelight while those from the services had mixed luck on the fourth day of the 29th All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Sector 42 hockey stadium here today.

While Northern Railway, Delhi, and Central Railway,Mumbai,had little difficulty in carving out impressive 4-0 and 7-1 victories over Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Army Ordnance Corps, Secunderabad, respectively, Sikh Regimental Centre were the only team to salvage some prestige for the services with a narrow 2-1 win over Chandigarh Hockey Association XI after Indian Air Force were humbled by Punjab State Electricity Board 9-8 via sudden death in what turned out to be a keenly contested tie.

The day definitely belonged to the railway men. Central Railway, Mumbai, who finished runners-up in the Baba Farid Gold Cup at Faridkot recently, completely dominated the show against the Army outfit from Secunderabad by scoring at will. The blitzkrieg commenced as early as in the fifth minute following a defensive lapse by AOC’s Jaspal Singh.Outside-right Mohammed Nafees was quick to grab the opportunity and his neat pass to centre-forward Shamim Baig saw the latter hitting home with relative ease (1-0). Three minutes later, inside-right Hasrat Qureshi, who captained India in the junior World Cup, made it 2-0 by capitalising on a pass from international Jamsher Khan.

AOC tried to come back into the game and RS Rajan was successful in entering the ‘D’ but before he could do any damage,the railway defence, ably manned by Rajendra Yadav and skipper Haseebuddin, thwarted his designs.

Shortly before the breather,Central Railway consolidated the lead through Arif Baig who scored a field goal.

When play resumed after the breather, Central Railway were again in full cry.A combined move between Jamsher Khan and Shamim Baig saw the latter aiming an easy hit into the goal with goalkeeper Ramesh of AOC watching helplessly (4-0). Midway through the second half,Arif Baig’s excellent run down the left flank followed by a powerful hit into the ‘D’ from the corner brought out the best in former world cupper S.Khandkar whose neat deflection gave the rival custodian absolutely no chance (5-0).

AOC managed to score a consolation goal through J.Kandulana in the 57th minute following a penalty corner (1-5).

However, Central Railway did not let the matter end there and added two more goals in the 60th and 62nd minutes through substitute Amrik Singh and Mehrajuddin to complete the rout.

Earlier Northern Railway overpowered ITBP by four goals to nil after leading by three goals at half time. Northern Railway opened their account in the seventh minute through a field goal by Daud Suleman.

Brijneb Singh made it 2-0 through another field goal two minutes later while S. Walia scored the third goal for the railway outfit 15 minutes before half-time.

On changing ends, Northern Railway found the target once again through Ajinder Pal Singh to put the issue beyond doubt.

Punjab State Electricity Board edged out Indian Air Force by a wafer-thin 9-8 margin after the two teams were level 2-2 at the end of the regulation period. PSEB were the first to forge ahead when Bhupinder Singh converted a penalty corner. IAF equalised shortly thereafter when Pardeep Singh found the target following a penalty stroke. In the 24th minute IAF shot into the lead through another field goal by Jerom Kujur but their joy proved to be shortlived as PSEB restored parity four minutes before the breather through Savanderjit off a penalty corner.

With the issue remaining deadlocked,the tie breaker rule was applied which also failed to decide the tie. Finally in sudden death PSEB managed to scrape through by a narrow 9-8 margin.

Earlier Sikh Regimental Centre ended the challenge of CHA XI,scoring twice while conceding only one goal. SRC took the lead in the fourth minute itself when Rajpal Singh converted a penalty stroke. In the 20th minute, Satnam Singh (junior) made it 2-0 off a penalty corner. The consolation goal for CHA XI came as late as in the 56th minute when the hard-working Navdeep capitalised on a penalty corner award,which however was not enough to see them through into the next round.

Wednesday’s fixtures: Rail Coach Factory v Air-India Academy — 12 noon; Customs v PSEB —1.30 p.m.; Sikh Regimental Centre v Central Railway —3 p.m.

Ashok in limelight
From Our Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI, Sept 27 — Ashok Malik, a grand old man of Indian golf, showed his prowess in no uncertain manner as he led among 100 plus participants on the opening day of the four-day Northern India Amateur Championship at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) course here today.

Malik, an Arjuna awardee and one of country’s leading golfers in 1960s and 1970s, fired a par score of 72 to lead score card. He was followed by young Simarjeet Singh and Saurabh Bahuguna, who were at two over par 74.

Playing consistently — his drive came along and he also putted superbly— Malik was out in one over 37 and secured one under 35 in his back nine. It was a tremendous display by a player of his age in this sultry and humid weather.

Malik had two birdies on 7th and 8th and three bogeys on 4th, 6th and 9th. In back nine, he had three birdies and two bogeys.

Young Simarjeet Singh began well with a birdie. But he earned a double bogey on the 9th and finished first nine in two over 38. In back nine, he had a bogey and a birdie and that gave him the aggregate of two over 74.

The field of participants was varied but the general standard of play was not as high as it ought to have been. There were some players from unknown clubs. There was a talk that some might not turn up tomorrow.

Scores: Ashok Malik 72, Simarjeet Singh and Saurabh Bahuguna 74, Jaideep Patwarshan and Sheerez Kalra 75.

There were as many as six on five over 77.

Ashoke finishes seventh

CALCUTTA, Sept 28 (UNI) — Ashoke Kumar performed best among the Indians and finished overall seventh when he returned a card of par 72 to total 292 on the fourth and concluding day of the Singapore Open Golf Championship at the Singapore country club course on September 24, according to a message received from Indian Golf Union President P.K. Bhattacharjee here yesterday.

Holders Haryana take on Karnataka

MUMBAI, Sept 28 (UNI) — Holders Haryana take on a skilful Karnataka and two best teams on show, Chandigarh and Orissa, clash here tomorrow in the semi-finals of the Bob National Junior Women’s Hockey Championship at the Mahindras Stadium

Roller hockey camp

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 (BOSR)) — The Roller Skating Federation of India will hold the final national camp in roller hockey in preparation for the eighth Asian Roller Skating Championship to be held next month at Shanghai (China) at Chandigarh from September 30 to October 12, according to a press release of the RSFI.

The camp in speed skating would be at Faridabad and Artistic at Ahmedabad (Gujarat). The Indian team will leave for China on October 14.

Navin’s hat-trick in IAF b’minton

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 (TNS) — Flying Officer Navin Bhatia became the first player in the Indian Air Force to achieve a hat-trick in the Air Force Badminton Championships held in Shillong Eastern Air Command, by winning the Air Force doubles title for the third consecutive year in succession. His partner was Tyagi.

Till date, no player has been so consistent in his performance.

Son of former national badminton champion Satish Bhatia, Chandigarh-born Navin, at present posted as an ATC officer at Halwara, has already played two all-India national badminton championships and attended a national camp at Delhi.

He has already been awarded two commendations by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, WAC, for his exemplary performance in sports.