Nehru sub-junior hockey: Rourkela boys clinch title

Man of the match Sundeep Chirmako netted a brace as Rourkela’s Birsa Munda Vidyapitha edged past Indira Priyadarshini Higher Secondary School of Bhopal 4-3 in the final of the Steelbird Helmet 34th Nehru sub-junior hockey tournament trophy at Shivaji Stadium in the capital on Tuesday.

Himanshu Sanik opened the scoring in the fourth minute for Bhopal but Chirmako took nine minutes to equalise. Subas Barla doubled the lead for the Rourkela school.

Aniket Varun, though, pulled one back for Indira Priyadarshini to level scores.

In the second half, Sanik (60th) completed his brace. Thereafter Chirmako (69th) stepped on the gas to cut down the lead before Samir Ekka posted the winner in the next minute for Birsa Munda Vidyapitha.

The champions took away `96,000 while the runner-up received Rs 64,000.

In the U-17 category, Springdales Senior School of Amritsar started their campaign on a strong note beating St Anthony’s Hogh School, Monte-Di-Guirim (Goa), 12-0.

Araijeet Singh led with four goals while Kamaldeep Singh and Gursharanpreet Singh netted thrice. Amrinder Singh added two in a Group A match.

In Group D, AMMR Government Hr Secondary School from Nallornad (Kerala) shaded Punjab Public School from Nabha (Patiala) 3-1.

Abhijeet P.C. posted a brace while Jishnu struck once for the winners. Pardeep Singh reduced the margin for Punjab boys.