Border Security Force (North Bengal) brushed aside a feeble challenge from Chittaranjan Locomotive Works to win 3-1 in a preliminary round outing in the Indian Oil Servo 109th Beighton Cup hockey tournament in Kolkata on Tuesday.
W Bismwobir Singh, Ajit Kumar Dung Dung and Seralinux Lakra sounded the board for the paramilitary side while S Kindo found the target for the losers in a fast-paced match at the East Bengal ground.
BSF drew first blood in the 12th minute when Bismwobir converted a penalty-corner with aplomb, but Kindo drew parity for CLW through a field goal in the 24th minute.
The relief in the CLW camp was short-lived as within five minutes Dung Dung put BSF in the lead again, scoring from a pass from S Horo.
The second half saw both sides launch an all-out attack though the BSF raids had more sting and were also more.
BSF, who earned seven penalty-corners, scored an insurance goal in the 58th minute. Left winger Elahanius Lakra did the spadework and cut into the 'D' before tapping the ball to Karketta to place home from close.
BSF could have won by a bigger margin, but for former junior World Cupper and CLW defender C B A Bhengraj who retrieved the ball twice from near his own goalline.
The railwaymen looked tired having travelled all the way from Chittaranjan during the day and were slow in their manoeuvres. The age factor also cost them dear, as most of their players are over the hill.