MUMBAI, October 22: Believe it or leave it! The Bombay Hockey Association (BHA) leagues have begun!Action got under way today with a Fourth Division match between Ordinance Factory and Voltas, not at its familiar location - the ravaged artificial pitch at the Mahindra Stadium - but on natural green at Khalsa College Gymkhana Ground, Matunga.Befittingly perhaps, the opening came alongwith a little fanfare and some solemnness. The nariyal pooja that preceded the start perhaps went with a wish that hockey in the city regains its former eminence.And again befittingly, 52-year-old Albert D'Souza of Ordinance - the leagues' oldest player - was called upon to present Bhupinder Singh, principal of Khalsa College, a bouquet.D'Souza, whose playing career goes back to the sixties, might rue the loss of almost three precious years during which league hockey in the city was dead. ``It's nice playing again,'' he said.As though making up for an eternity of inactivity, Ordinance Factory slammed in eight goals past Voltas who faded rather rapidly after taking the lead twice.Ordinance won the match 8-2 after leading 4-2 at half-time.Three goals by Sabanand, two by Vijay Singh and one each by P Bhanu, Ganesh and Ramu completed the rout. V D'Silva and D Rozario scored for the losers who led 2-1 till 16th minute of the hour-long match.V D'Silva put Voltas, sporting a host of veteran players, into the lead as early as the sixth minute with a field goal. But Ordinance hit back two minutes later, Ramesh slamming home a penalty-corner.Another goal from open play by D Rozario regained the lead for Voltas but Ganesh restored parity for Ordinance.As fatigue overcame Voltas, Ordinance took firm control and were 3-2 ahead in the 20th minute. P Bhanu cracked in from close range amid a crowded goalmouth to open the floodgates.Sabanand scored the first of his three goals off a penalty-corner rebound to put Ordinance 4-2 up by the interval.With no let up from the Ordinance attack, Voltas' defence caved in. Vijay Singh lodged the ball high in the net, cracking an airborne ball into an open goal immediately after resumption. Another goal by Sabanand with two minutes fetched the winners their sixth goal.Sabanand put himself in line for a hat-trick with his third goal in the 41st minute before Vijay Singh finished the scoring five minutes from time.
