Poovanna powers MEG

Excise got off to a flier with Anup Anthony netting, putting them ahead in the 5th minute, exploiting a clean pass from Ajay Aiyappa. In the next 15 minutes , Vivek Ramakrishna and Aiyappa tested the Sappers’ defence with their penetrative moves, but MEG soon gained their rhythm and organised some quick counter moves.

In the 22nd minute, Poovanna equalised when he converted MEG’s second penalty-corner of the day and there was no looking back after that. Poovanna doubled the lead eight minutes later through a penalty corner.

Poovanna consolidated MEG’s position in the 47th minute with his third goal. Central Excise tried to pull things back but failed in their venture as MEG walked away with three points.

The second match of the day between Canara Bank and Centre of Excellence was delayed started 45 minutes behind the schedule since the turf could not be watered due to the unavailabilty of water in the tank. But the match lacked intensity as both teams missed plenty of scoring opportunities. The officials called off the tie in the 65th minute due to bad light with Canara Bank leading 1-0.

With darkness gradually swallowing the field, Appanna struck the lone goal of the match in the 45th minute before officials decided to end the proceedings. According to the tournament director Palangappa, the remaining five minutes of the game would be played at a later stage.

Results: Super division: MEG: 3 (BP Poovanna 22nd, 30th, 47th) bt Central Excise: 1 (Anup Anthony 5th); HT: 2-1. Canara Bank: 1 (Appanna 45th) vs CoE: 0 (match abandoned in the 65th minute due to bad light)