Union Bank of India emerge rink hockey champs

The victorious UBI team after winning the School of Sports-sponsored Winter Rink Hockey tournament at Dominic Savio High School hockey turf in Andheri recently

Union Bank of India won the men's title at the Hockey India-approved and School of Sports-sponsored Winter Rink Hockey tournament at the Dominic Savio High School turf in Andheri recently. This was the first hockey tournament to be played in the city following the Covid-19 lockdown last March.

Consistent goal-scorer Prince Chaurasia and Suraj Shahi, both struck a brace each as UBI beat Income Tax 5-2 in a fast-paced men's final. Vinit Shetty scored the fifth goal for the victors while Income Tax reduced the margin with a goal each by Vikram Singh and Anish Chetty.

UBI began on a promising note, taking the lead in the 7th minute when Chaurasia successfully converted a penalty stroke. Six minutes later, Chaurasia flicked in the second goal. Income Tax fought back and got a goal through Vikram Singh early in the second half but a goal from Shahi gave UBI a two-goal cushion again. Anish Chetty then got onto the scoresheet for the taxmen but two quick goals, one each by UBI's Vinit Shetty and Shahi, closed out the contest.

Earlier, in an engrossing women's final, Bhilai SC beat Freunds SC 2-1 margin. Manish Dhawal netted both goals for Bhilai while Madhavi Patil scored for Freunds.

UBI's Chaurasia and Shahi won the highest scorer and best player awards respectively, while Income Tax's Sudhir Dixit was declared best goalkeeper of the tournament.

Freunds's ace forward Ruqqaiya Shaikh was adjudged the best player among women, while Bhillai's Dhawal and Kajal Rathore emerged as the highest scorer and best goalkeeper respectively.

Earlier, in the age group competitions, St. Teresa's Convent, Santacruz, clinched a grand double, winning the girls' U-14 and U-16 titles respectively.

In the U-14 final, St. Teresa's beat Canossa Convent, Andheri, 3-1. Madhvi Mhatre, Wilona Rodrigues and Tannavi Thikrul scored a goal each for the victors while Tamanna Sonkar pulled one back for Canossa Convent.

In the U-16 final, St. Teresa's beat Gokuldham, Goregaon, 6-4. Hetal Goswami and Sanjana Salunke scored three goals each for St Teresa while Gokuldham's Shravani Sawant scored a hat-trick. Roshni Patel added the fourth goal for Gokuldham.

In the boys U-14 final, Bombay Republicans SC beat India Rush 5-0. Mitansh Shah scored three goals while Moksh Kubadia and Darshan Patel added one each for Republicans.

In the boys U-16 final, Independent SC beat Bombay Republicans SC 5-2. Vansh Shah scored thrice for Independent while teammates J Bharadia and Cristiano added a goal each. Mitansh Shah and Moksh Shah scored a goal each for Republicans.