Karamjit slots in winner for BPCL

Hockey Super Division

In the day’s other match, Army Red rode on India international Ignace Tirkey’s brace to pull off a surprise 3-2 win over defending champions Indian Oil Corporation.

BPCL and Army Red are tied on 12 points from four matches, the latter sitting on top having scored more goals (25).

BPCL, who crushed Army Green 11-2 on Monday, made another brilliant start when Gurpreeth Singh sounded the board in the fifth minute. However, some tight marking from Fortis and shoddy play meant the first half ended 1-0.

Sher Singh then handed BPCL 2-0 lead in the 45th minute before Fortis staged a fine fightback, led largely by Diwakar Ram. The India international sounded the board in the 48th and 51st minutes to bring the contest to an even keel.

However, Karamjit calmed the nerves in the BPCL camp, sealing a gritty victory in the 53rd minute.

Army Red crafted a deserved win over IOCL, whose hopes of retaining the title suffered another blow after drawing to Sports Authority of India on Monday, with a flawless first half display.

Two goals from Tirkey (22nd, 29th) and Chittaranjan Singh’s strike in the 34th minute gave Army Red a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Ramandeep Singh (43rd) and Prabjoth Singh (65th) raised hopes of a comeback but fell short.

Results: BPCL: 34 (Gurpreeth Singh 5th, Sher Singh 45th, Karamjit Singh 53rd) bt Fortis: 2 (Diwakar Ram 48th, 51st); Army Red: 3 (Ignace Tirkey 22nd, 29th, Chittaranjan Singh 34th) bt IOCL: 2 (Ramandeep Singh 43rd, Prabjoth Singh 65th).