Strong contenders, Hockey Dadar got off to a rollicking start by scoring a 12-2 win against Rhema Sports Foundation in a men’s first round clash of the Bandra Gymkhana 30th Open Rink Hockey Tournament, played at the Bandra Gym’s tennis courts.
Vinod Kumar
Hockey Dadar were well-served by roving forward Vinod Kumar who was on song and hammered home six goals. The other goal scorers were Samir Coutinho (2), Amit Gowda (2) and Dwayne Dias (2). For Rhema the goals were scored by Ezekiel Shetty and Jonathan D’Gama.
Earlier, in the most exciting match of the evening, Hockey Santacruz and Orlemites SC were engaged in a keen tussle for supremacy before the former managed to scrape through by a narrow 6-4 margin. In a fast-paced encounter, Karan Kapoor showed great finishing and had a hand in five of the six goals which helped the Santacruz team clinch the issue in their favour. Mikik Patil scored the other goal for the Santacruz side. Orlemites putting up a strong fight managed to score through a brace by Kushal Megthwal and one each by Alroy Remedious and Dylan Ashirwad.
In another hard fought match, Companeroes SC prevailed over Catholic Gymkhana by a 5-2 margin. Brian D’Souza and LyndenZuzarte scored a brace each and Jess Kinny scored the fifth goal. Catholic Gym reduced the margin through Farhat Shaikh and Nikhil Joshi.
Hockey Dadar will next take on last year’s runners-up Mumbai Customs in the quarter-finals and Hockey Santacruz run into Companeroes in the other last eight round match.
Results (1st round): Hockey Santacruz 6(Karan Kapor 5, Mikik Patil) bt Orlemites SC 4 (Kushal Megthwal 2, Alroy Remedious, Dylan Ashirwad).
Companeroes 5 (Brian D’Souza 2, Lynden Zuzarte 2, Jess Kinny) bt Catholic Gymkhana 2 (Farhat Shaikh, Nikhil Joshi).
Hockey Dadar 12 (Vinod Kumar 6, Samir Coutinho 2, Amit Gowda 2, Dwyane Dias 2) bt Rhema Sports Foundation 2 (Ezekiel Shetty, Jonathan D’Gama).