JALANDHAR: In a dazzling display of skill and stamina, Services XI made the top spot in the Lehar Pepsi All India Surjit Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Burlton Park Stadium here.

In the exciting final, Services shunted out Rail Coach Factory (Kapurthala) 110,

This was the first time that Services XI entered the tournament and they proved that be it skill, stick work or speed, they ‘were superior to their rivals, who had six internationals in their ranks.

Services XI took away the glittering trophy along with the Rs 30,000 prize money. The losers pocketed Rs 20,000.

It was a battle worthy of a final, a victory worthy of deserving champions. The narrow margin of the win Was a tribute to the plucky resistance put up by RF, The 70minute encounter must have convinced the 10,000strong crowd that the better side had won,

The clash developed into a rousing affair. If RCF were energetic and quick, Services were fluent and trustful.

Full marks to the Services. Their forwards P.D. Barla, Shinde, Baldev Singh, Vijay Kajur and I. Barla played with brilliant understanding and often ripped through the RCF defence with sheer speed and superb ball control. Their defenders Topno, Horo, Avtar Singh and Lakra put shackles to the RF forwards. But credit ‘must go to international Pargat Singh who stood like a rock and waged a lone battle

It was fast and challenging hockey. Marshalled by outside left Vijay Kajur, Services stormed into the RCF territory from the start, In the 12th minute Kajur latched on to a defensive clearance behind him and with an explosive speed cut in from the flank to diagonally pass inside the circle to an onrushing center forward Shined, who sent a rasping drive that missed the target.

Services played like a team possessed and their wingers created several openings. Their runs along the flanks and timely finish were a treaty to watch. RCF, on the ‘other hand, were swept off their feet by the repeated attacks of the rivals.

Services got a penalty comer in the 12th minute which went a begging. But the early ‘openings made them more determined. In the 17th minute, in a sudden spurt, outside right Barla got past the RCF defenders and sent a cross  outside left Kajur, who caught the rival defence on the wrongly tackled by one. Left back Horo converted the penalty corner successfully to give his team a timely lead (1-10),

RCF broke their shackles, counterattacked and earned a penalty corner in the 25th minute, But they proved to be poor marksmen, for some strange reason they lost both pace and precision and the Services were now in full flow. They earned two more penalty comers before the half time but could not translate these into goals.

‘At half time, RCF were trailing 01. It was an equal contest. The RCF realized they could not cut much ice against the riyal’s nippy wingers, they control and ‘made Services sweat. Pargat showed exceptional powers. One moment he would be in the attack and the next he would fall pack to support left back Jagdev. He kept on spraying beautiful passes to his forwards but Balwinder and company failed to pierce through the Services defence.

Services exhibited better skill and tougher drill and gave a torrid time to the RCF defence which, thanks to Pargat, stood its ground,

In the 60th minute Pargat in a last gasp effort to find the equalizer, sped down the center and after hoodwinking a host of defenders entered the circle, A marvelous effort it was but he was just a little hesitant in slamming the ball home.

Services in the remaining minutes proved that they could dribble, flick and pass in any direction. Their sense of timing and judgement deserve applause. RCF got a penalty corner in the last minute but before they could take it, the hooter sounded the end of the match.

Mark Pattersion, Avtar Singh, Vijay Kujur and Pargat Singh were awarded Rs 2,000 each for their outstanding performances during the tournament.

TEAMS:

Services XI-Jagmohan Singh, EtwaTopno, Horo, Ajit Lakra, Avtar Singh, N. Bage, Barla P.D., Barla I, Shinde, Baldes Singh, Vijay Kujur.

Rail coach Factory Basant, Pargat Singh, Jagdev Singh, Ashok Kumar, Nirmal Singh, Hardev Singh, Ranbir Singh Balwinder Singh, Baljit Singh, M.P. Singh Sunjit Singh.

Umpires TS, Bhullar, Kulbir Singh.

Article extracted from this publication >> December 7, 1990