RCF have it easy against Young Sports

Hemant Dabak gave RCF the lead in the 10th minute. BN Madan increased the lead a minute later and in the 15th minute, S Mehraj wrote finish to whatever hopes Young Sports may have entertained of a surprise victory.

RCF were then prevented from scoring with some stout defending by Young Sports’ defenders Charson Lobo, Karam Singh and goalkeeper Sudhir K Singh. But RCF failed to make the most of the six penalty-corners that came their way during the first-half.

In the second-session, Young Sports stunned the RCF defence with a goal in the 60th minute following a stray raid. Right-half Kishore Gawadi, who was unmarked at the top of circle, neatly trapped a long diagaonal by left-half Anand Surwale and then slammed home a fierce shot from the top of the circle past RCF goalkeeper Nandu Rajagopalan.

Young Sports were buoyed by this success and went in search of more goals. But RCF settled their hash in the 65th minute with their fourth goal. BN Madan rounded off the tally with a goal from close following a goalmouth scramble.

Mumbai XI runners-up

Mumbai XI lost 1-2 to Border Security Force in the final of the All-India Guru Gobind Singh Hockey Tournament at Nanded, recently. Asad Khan was responsible for Mumbai’s goal.

The winners took home a purse of Rs 25,000 and Mumbai were richer by 15,000 for the second spot.

In the semi-final, Mumbai beat Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 1-0 and in the quarter-finals, Mumbai downed CISF by an identical margin. Raju Bagade scored on both occasions.

Mumbai’s S Krishnamurthy and AP Girish were adjudged as the best full-back and best goalkeeper, respectively.