Punjab Police, Air India
score easy wins

Punjab Police scored twice in each half to rout Indian Navy, Mumbai, 4-1 and enter the quarter-final league in the BPCL-Aga Khan hockey tournament at the Bombay Gymkhana in Mumbai on Thursday.

A brace by Gabber Singh was the highlight of the policemen's victory.

In another match, Air India had things their way while whipping Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, 4-0, after leading 2-0 at the breather.

Punjab Police, who led 2-1 at half-time, opened their account when defender V P Singh converted their first penalty-corner in the 10th minute.

Another defender, Jaskaran Singh increased the lead in the 19th minute, when he converted the third penalty-corner.

Navy pulled one back when full back Amrit Kiro converted their second penalty-corner with just a minute to go for lemon time.

Two minutes after half-time, the local outfit could have equalised after they were awarded a penalty stroke as their centre forward M M Lokande's scoop was stopped by rival defender Avtar Singh over his head.

However, the resultant stroke which was taken by Navy's centre-half M P Manova was well saved by custodian Ashok Kumar.

Centre-forward Gabber Singh then scored a brace to round off the tally. Five minutes after resumption Gabber Singh deflected home defender Balwant Singh';s free hit and 19 minutes later he scored off forward Gurmeet Singh's goalmouth cross.

Punjab Police forced three penalty-corners and converted two while Navy got five ut could convert only one.

The Air India - RCF match was totally one-sided as the airmen, winners of the Bombay Gold Cup, judiciously held possession and called the tune.

Roshan Tete put Air India ahead in the second minute before Tushar Khandekar could scored a brace of goals in the 28th and 49th minutes.

Devinder Kumar completed the rout a minute before the hooter.

Yesterday's report
Bombay Customs beat Chandigarh XI