Corps of Signals, Punjabi varsity to clash in hockey final

Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 24

Defending champions Corps of Signals and Punjabi University Patiala will lock horns in the final tomorrow. Corps of Signals defeated Rail Coach Factory and Punjabi University defeated SAI Kurukshetra in the semi-finals here today.

Punjabi University produced a brilliant ball control and short passing to upset RCF (2-1) at the 45th Liberals Hockey tournament played at Nabha. Showing a complete dominance, the university lads quickly galloped to a lead (2-0) with their fast forwards, finding target in the 10th and 17th minutes of the match.

Rail men too had their chances but could not pierce the solid defence by the university lads. RCF raised hopes of a comeback when their prolific short corner specialist Hira Singh reduced the lead (2-1) with a stinging shot from a penalty corner in the 44th minute. Both teams attacked in turn but the university boys emerged as the worthy winners (2-1).

In the second semi-final, SAI went down (3-0) to the disciplined army outfit Corps of Signals, who had shown consistent improvement after dismal performance in the initial stages of the competition. Combining well, the army men went up (1-0) in the 31st minute through Vishwa Thakur who utilised an accurate back pass in the D from Jokhan Pal. Two minutes later, Deepak Pal lunged on to a loose ball inside the circle to make it 2-0 for the Signals. Vishwa Thakur hit another goal from an acute angle in the 47th minute.