Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited quelled a strong late challenge from Punjab National Bank in the final of the All India Sahibzada Ajit Singh hockey championship in Ludhiana. The Oilmen won 3-2 to clinch their second domestic title in a row.
They had earlier won the Surjit tournament in Jalandhar a week ago.
Interestingly, PNB had lost to BPCL in the semi-final, but were given a place in the final after the other two semi-finalists Indian Oil Corporation and Namdhari XI were were involved in a nasty fight during the match. Tournament organisers suspended both the teams for indiscipline and allowed PNB to compete in the final.
Former India international Hari Prasad (12th minute), Ravi Pal (19th), Gurpreet Singh (24th), Mohammed Amir (56th) and Arman (59th) scored for the winners.
The Bank team gave a good account of themselves but were guilty of missing many chances. Skipper Jalwinder Singh Toni led the charge in the final 10 minutes, scoring a field goal in the 62nd minute. Lakhwinder Singh converted a penalty stroke four minutes later, while Ashish Pal struck in the last minute of the match.