JOIN USIndian Oil Corporation Limited bounced back from Wednesday's 4-1 loss to Army XI as they overcame Punjab National Bank 5-3 in their elite round robin match of the 2nd Bengaluru Super Division hockey league at the hockey stadium here on Thursday.
After falling behind to Gagandeep Singh's (3rd minute) early opener, skipper VR Raghunath (18th), Deepak Thakur (21st) and Talwinder Singh (25th) ensured IOCL went into half-time with a comfortable 3-1 lead.
In the second period, PNB came out strong as Gagandeep grabbed his second of the afternoon in the 37th minute and reduced the deficit to just one goal.
But IOCL were in no mood to relent as local lad SK Uthappa doubled their lead four minutes later. Thakur then added the fifth for the Oilmen in the 51st minute as the situation began looking more dire for PNB.
PNB did get another goal through Sumit Toppo in the 65th minute but by then, it was a case of too little too late.
In the second match, home team Army XI dominated the proceedings against Indian Navy to win their second consecutive match.
The 3-1 win has put them on top of the standings with six points.
Bhushan Kujur (3rd), Jonny Jasrotia (11th) and Sanjib Dung Dung (35th) sounded the board for Army XI, while Indian Navy recovered a consolation goal through Jugraj Singh (66th) late in the game.