Customs edge out RCF in stroke duel

MUMBAI, APRIL 1: Bombay Customs defeated Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers in the final of the inaugural Victor D'Mello five-a-side rin...

MUMBAI, APRIL 1: Bombay Customs defeated Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers in the final of the inaugural Victor D’Mello five-a-side rink hockey tournament at the Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana tennis courts last night.Playing for the fourth day in succession, the teams looked jaded and dished out mediocre display. The two teams were cautious in their approach and made the mistake of striving for openings down a crowded middle.

As a result, goal-mouth thrills were few and far in between and all the excitement for the goodly crowd came in the tie-breaker, which was resorted to immediately after full-time resulted goalless.

Comparatively, RCF had a slight edge but their star striker Meghraj failed to make the most of two gild edged chances that came his way.

Customs could have spared themselves the anxiety of going through the nail-biting tie-breaker when they were awarded a stroke five minutes from close. But Vijay Alphonso’s attempt to find the roof of the net was neatly tipped over by a confident RCFgoalkeeper Nandu Rajgopalan. In the stroke duel, Stanley Fernandes (2), Adolf Colaco (2) and Vijay Alphonso were on target for Customs. Meghraj S (2), Mahesh Bagade and Yogesh More netted for RCF.

Goalkeeper SS Negi (Customs) was adjudged the player of the final and defender Conroy Remedios (RCF) was the player of the tournament.

Earlier, for the Sacry Menezes Hardlines Trophy, Tatas pipped Central Bank of India 1-0. The all-important goal was scored by Manoj Lokhande.In an exhibition match comprising a mixture of Olympians, internationals and women, White beat Blue 4-2. Sybil (2), Ashok and Hema scored for the winners while Kuttappa and Clarence Lobo accounted for Blue.