By Our Hockey Correspondent

CHENNAI, AUG. 15. It was a new experience for many, including the spectators, with the experimental rules being enforced when the Madras Cricket Club- Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament got underway before a large crowd at the Radhakrishnan Stadium here today.

Though not a single goal came from a direct hit from within the 25-yard line, the prescription to restrict the defence zone contributed to open play and provided an enjoyable fare. As the Tournament Director, Mohammad Ghouse, rightly said, it is easier to implement the rules and see how they operate than explain the complexities involved in taking them for an academic discussion.

Speedy, skillful and stylish, L. Prabhakaran played a stellar role for Tamil Nadu to warm the cockles of many a local heart. Not only did he figure twice in the scorers' list but he led the attack with palpable vigour against Hyderabad in the opening Pool D encounter. Restricted to a narrow 1-0 lead in the first half, Tamil Nadu recovered in the next to slot in three more, conceding a solitary goal midway through.

Galvanised by the thrustful moves of L. Prabhakaran, Tamil Nadu held the territorial advantage. It must be conceded that the Hyderabad defence held firm against the consistent attack. Goalkeeper Muralikrishna, in particular, was solid, bringing off a couple of timely saves. One penalty corner by Dixon was eye catching. But a stick check on Vimalanathan, who was causing some concern from the right flank led to a penalty stroke award from umpire Satinder Sharma. International Radhakrishnan, who played a conspicuous role in the mid-field, converted.

Notwithstanding the control exercised over exchanges, Tamil Nadu found its dominance not getting translated into goals. Four penalty corners in the first half were not well utilised. But the mid-field played well enough not to allow Hyderabad much elbow room. In the deep defence, Dixon and Padmanaban, the latter in particular, held on gamely.

Though the Hyderabad attacks were sporadic, whenever it combined to weave in, it presented a clear element of danger. L. Ramesh on the wing and Paul Moses from inside created a few openings. When Prabhakaran pushed in a rebound from a penalty corner to hoist the second goal for Tamil Nadu, Hyderabad struck immediately, Anand Patmakumar making capital of a crisp free hit by Minz.

A few thrilling moments surfaced near the Tamil Nadu circle following long hits by the Hyderabad midfielders. Goalkeeper Natarajan was subjected to pressure for sometime, but he managed to smother it with confidence.

The match entered an interesting phase at this point with a possibility of Hyderabad making up the deficit. But Radhakrishnan swept the ball to the roof of the net from a penalty corner and Prabhakaran followed it up for the fourth goal to snuff out the challenge posed by Hyderabad.

Mr. M.V. Subbiah, Director, Murugappa Group, inaugurated the tournament. The teams were presented to him along with Mr. N. Ramachandran, Secretary, Madras Cricket Club.

Thursday's matches: Indian Railways v Hyderabad XI (2-30 p.m.); Punjab Police v Karnataka XI (4-30 p.m.).

Tamil Nadu's L. Prabhakaran (extreme right) scores his second goal past Hyderabad goalkeeper Muralikrishna in the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament in Chennai on Wednesday.