Sport - Hockey

Sinclair shines in IOB’s victory

CHENNAI: Defending champion Indian Overseas Bank’s unbeaten run continued in the Chennai Hockey Association’s senior division super league championship.

At the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Wednesday, riding on Olympian Adam Sinclair’s hat-trick, IOB scripted its third successive victory with a 4-2 verdict over Indian Bank.

Notwithstanding the early goal by IOB’s Saravana Kumar, IB put up a brave front with some impressive sallies led by V. Raja.

The deep defence, too, did well to thwart a series of raids by IOB and keep the scoreline 0-1.

As was expected, IOB started to exert more pressure soon after the break. Of its first penalty corner in the second session, Sinclair struck, diving in front to push the ball home. IB pulled one back through Ashwin, who converted a penalty stroke.

Sinclair, moving dangerously inside the circle, made a fine and effortless deflection from just inside the circle.

V. Raja reduced the margin with a penalty corner conversion.

Trailing 2-3, IB worked hard and for a while created jitters in the IOB camp. Sinclair, however, settled the issue by effortlessly deflecting a fierce strike home; an effort that was strikingly similar to his second goal.

With three losses from as many matches, IB is now out of the race. Southern Railway, IOB and ICF lead the table with three wins each.

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