MUMBAI, OCT 6: International BN Madan's hat-trick, and the ouster of Sports Authority of India (SAI) were the highlights of the opening day in the 38th BHA Gold Cup hockey tournament at Mahindra Stadium. Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilisers (RCF) opened proceedings against a depleted MS Police, soeme of whose players were called away for election duty. Madan made most of the opportunity, scoring in the 27th, 52nd and 55th minutes to give RCF a 3-0 win.RCF were guilty of missing as many as eight easy chances and also found the Police custodian a hard nut to crack.But the day's show-stoppers were definitely Companeroes. A Bandra club that has produced a sprinkle of internationals and Olympians, including Marcellus Gomes, they fielded a blend of youth and experience, the latter provided by former Air-India and Mahindras players. One of them, Reginald Pereira, knit the unit, while Simon D'Souza did the damage up front.Things perked up after a dull first session, and as it often happens when things perkup, goals were produced. Simon drew first blood when he pushed in right half Ashish Gonsalves' forward pass but goalkeeper Govind Sharma blocked the ball. Simon scooped in the rebound.The SAI attack was depleted in the absence of junior International Asad Khan, who is likely to wear Western Railway coulours during the tournament. But they battled gamely, and equalised in the 51st minute through right half Dharinder Dwivedi.SAI's relief was shortlived. The very next minute, Companeroes' centre half Ian Alves scored off an Ashish Gonsalves centre.
