CRPF, Punjab Police in
Beighton Cup final

Central Reserve Police Force and Punjab Police upset favourites Indian Airlines and Punjab and Sind Bank respectively via golden goals to enter the final of the 107th Beighton Cup hockey tournament in Kolkata on Tuesday.

In the semi-finals, Tanvir Javed scored the winner at the start of extra-time as CRPF upset Airlines 3-2, while Punjab Police beat PSB 2-1, with Baljit Singh Bulhar scoring the golden goal.

A determined CRPF took control of the game with two quick strikes in the opening session but the fancied Airlines came back strongly, scoring two goals in the second session, to push the game into extra-time.

CRPF turned on the heat midway through the opening session as they pumped in two goals in seven minutes with forward J Topno (23rd) and Mukesh Kumar (29th) sounding the board.

Airlines replied through Vinayak Kumar (55th) and captain Dilip Tirkey (59th).

In the other match, PSB shot into the lead in the 20th minute when Gurmit Singh Jhony found the target. But the euphoria was shortlived as Kanwalpreet Singh restored parity for Punjab Police within a few minutes.

Airlines had only themselves to blame for the debacle as they never found any rhythm, particularly in the first session which allowed CRPF to take control.

Despite boasting of internationals like Dilip Tirkey, Mukesh Kumar, Lazarus Barla and Ashish Ballal in their ranks, Airlines put up a rather disappointing show right through the tournament.

The final will be played on April 4.