Chennai, Sep 6 (IANS) Bharat Petroleum recorded their first win in two matches with a 5-2 win over Namdhari XI in the All-India MCC Murugappa hockey tournament here Saturday.
Bharat Petroleum Company Ltd (BPCL), who played a goalless draw with Air India Friday, looked a better team as goals by Amar Aiyamma (28th, 29th, 58th), Tushar Khandekar (49th) and Hari Prasad (69th) set up their victory.
Namdhari XI lacked the punch at the finish to convert the chances that came their way. However, they drew some consolation from goals by Malak Singh (53rd) and Karamjeet Singh (67th) at a time when BPCL were looking to increase their tally.
BPCL proved far too experienced and their forwardline showed better co-ordination against the youthful Namdhari team whose defence had a trying time to contain the mercurial rival forwards, especially Aiyamma.
Also recording their first win were Army XI who got past Orissa XI 2-0 in pool B with Armugam (18th) and Sunil (37th) doing the scoring.
Army XI, who had lost 1-4 to Air India in their previous encounter, controlled the proceedings to run out deserving winners.
Earlier, Indian Overseas Bank (Chennai), who had lost 2-3 to Indian Oil in their opening match, picked up their first point by holding Indian Railways 1-1 in a pool A encounter.
Both teams showed missed chances and that brought little cheer to the weekend crowd.
Vinod Rayar put IOB ahead in the 24th minute, scoring off a Satish pass and Railways equalized in the 43rd when Innocent Kullu converted a penalty corner.
