By Our Hockey Correspondent

CHENNAI, FEB. 18. There was precious little to portray in terms of excellence in the three quarterfinal matches that were completed in the National junior hockey championship at the SDAT- Radhakrishnan Stadium on Sunday.

The monotony was relieved only when goals were scored, but that did not in any way contribute to evoking a spontaneous response from the crowd. In a nutshell, everything was so prosaic that one was happy to hear the final hooter, even as twilight engulfed the precincts after a warm and sultry day that signalled the setting up of the summer heat in the city.

Even traditionally strong teams like Punjab and Mumbai, which ended victorious, palpably struggled to make an impact. If anything, it was Bengal, which was beaten comprehensively by Punjab, that looked better organised, if the nine penalty corners it forced against the three by Punjab is any guide. What Bengal lacked was the finish in which its opponent was marginally superior. That Punjab converted two of the three penalty corners is a point to be noted.

Notwithstanding the repeated raids led by the hardworking Bharat Kumar, Bengal failed to take advantage of the openings. A glorious chance to surge ahead close on half-time was frittered away by a thoughtless scoop by Joseph Ekka after the ball had rebounded off goal-keeper Manpreet Singh. Much against the trend of play came the goal for Punjab from Gabbar Singh, who made capital of the lethargic Bengal defence, a minute before halftime.

Without a single penalty corner in the first half, Punjab secured its first midway through. An immaculate drag flick by Jugraj enhanced the lead and not long after came the third, also from a penalty corner, from Bikramjit Singh. Try as it did, the Bengal frontline was unable to force its way into the goal tally.

Chandigarh, which pushed out Air India, was expected to lift the whole aspect above the plane of mediocrity. But it also slipped into the rut after fairly bright start. Uttar Pradesh, which has a great tradition in the game showed, no signs of it and its approach left many to wonder why the quality has suffered so much over the years.

The Chandigarh frontline played with ardour, thanks to the frequent sallies into the rival area by Inderjit Singh. It was in the fitness of things that he got the match winner midway through. Showing a clean pair of heels to more than one defender, Inderjit with perceptible body dodge and swerve capped his run with a spectacular backhander. That however proved a flicker as the match degenerated again into scrappy fare.

The U.P. frontline worked only in fits and starts. Barring Sanjiv Kumar Singh, none caught the eye in the frontline. Sanjiv's splendid effort midway in the first half was stopped with beaming nonchalance by Maninder Singh. Chandigarh could have added a goal more if only Gurpreet Singh, who ran in to meet the pass from Cyril Ekka, had not failed to connect. The spadework for this move came from Inderjit.

Mumbai made a heavy weather of Haryana in the morning after leading 1-0 at half time with a goal by Vikram Pillai. After the break, Vijay Alphonso consolidated the lead. In the closing minutes, Jatin restricted the margin. Mumbai takes on Punjab in the semifinal on Tuesday.

Former international and skipper, Balwinder Singh of Railways, now in the role of an umpire here, was felicitated by Gramma HC and Rising Sun HC. Former state player, M.S. Udayakumar, Secretary, presented a memento, on behalf of the two clubs, to Balwinder.

Monday's match (semifinal): Karnataka v Chandigarh 3-45 p.m.