Navy, Rock Rovers win easily

Rajan Lakra and Ahsan-ul-Haq slammed three goals each as Indian Navy opened their campaign in style, routing Jharkhand XI 7-3, while Chandigarh's Rock Rovers brought down Indian Air Force 4-1 in the 38th Nehru-Ongc hockey tournament in Delhi on Monday.

In other matches of the day, Sail XI shared points as they drew 3-3 with Combined Universties while CRPF drew with Sikh Regiment Centre (SRC) 1-1 in an inconsequential Group I fixture.

Rajan Lakra put Navy ahead in the third minute and Haque made it 2-0 eight minutes later. Lakra struck again to take the tally to 3-0 in 14th minute.

Jharkhand hit back two minutes later, with A Kumar reducing the margin 1-3, and four minutes before the breather R Bhengra further reduce the deficit (2-3).

In the second half, Haque made it 4-2 in the third minute and Lakra further consolidated the position by scoring his third and team's fifth goal.

P Kulu and Haque scored a goal each in the 50th and 62nd minutes to make it 7-2 before R Dang scored for the losers in the 67 minute (7-3).

Rick Rovers outplayed Air force 4-1 after leading 3-1 at half-time. The Chandigarh club established a three-goal lead by the 19th minute of the match.

S Kiru (4th, 16th), Navdeep Singh (19th) and Gurpreet Singh (41st) were the scorers for the winners. Pardeep Singh (35th) scored for Air Force.