PSPB Clinch 1st Chhaju Ram Memorial Hockey Tourney

Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) nosed out Services 4-3 to win the 1st Chhaju Ram Memorial Hockey Tournament being played at Ghumanhera Astroturf ground. The petroleum outfit seized the initiative early on when former international Affan Yousuf opened the second in the 7th minute and that’s how the scoreline remained at half-time.

Read 1st Chhaju Ram Memorial Hockey: Services-PSPB Set Up Final Date

Services came to the pitch with more determination and equalised early in the second half via Rajant. Petroleum Sports Promotion Board nullifed any comeback hopes from their opponent scoring thrice in five minutes through two penalty corner conversions by former international fullback Diwakar Ram and a strike by another former international Arman Qureshi to lap up a 4-1 lead.

Read 1st Chhaju Ram Memorial Hockey: Services, PNB Storm into Semifinals

Down 1-4 with only sixteen minutes left for the final hooter, Services were clearly pushed to the walls but they were far from throwing in the towel. Jugraj Singh struck twice from short corners to reduce the deficit at 3-4 and it could have been anybody’s game with five minutes left. PSPB held out the final moments with resolve to emerge 4-3 winners. Meanwhile, Punjab National Bank defeated Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy 4-2 to finish third.

Read Preparations Afoot to Conduct 1st Chhaju Ram Memorial Hockey Tournament

The five-day tournament is being organised by Matiala MLA Gulab Singh. The winners took home a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh while the runners-up team received a cash reward of Rs 3 lakh. The third-placed and fourth-placed teams pocketed cash prizes of Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1.50 lakh respectively.