PSPB, RSPB open campaign with easy wins in Hockey India Inter-Department C’ship.

Defending champions Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) and Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) opened campaigns with comfortable wins on the first day of the Hockey India Senior Men Inter-Department National Championship here on Thursday.

An upset was recorded, however, by Steel Plant Sports Board (SPSB) whose young side defeated an experienced All India Police Sports Control Board 2-1 (AISCP) outfit.

For SPSB, Abdul Qadir struck the opening goal in the 29th minute and Alok Kandulna doubled the lead in the 53rd. AISCP were able to pull one back through Simranjit Singh five minutes later in the 58th but that was the only goal they managed.

PSPB defeated Central Secretariat 5-0 in a Pool A contest following goals from Talwinder Singh (4), Armaan Qureshi (33) , Rosan Minz (41) and two goals Shilanand Lakhra (26, 56).

In Pool B contest, RSPB went on a spree as they blanked Sports Authority of Gujarat - Hockey Academy 13-0.