Reserve Bank of India showed great fighting spirit and determination to put it across a dogged Rebels Sports Club 3-2 in an absorbing Second Division final of the MHAL (Mumbai Hockey Association Limited) League 2016-2017 and played at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate. The scores were tied 2-all at the end of the first session.
The victorious Reserve Bank of India players make a happy picture as they pose with the Second Division Trophy and MHAL officials, after defeating Rebels SC 3-2 in the final of the MHAL League at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate.
After some fast-paced and lively exchanges by the two teams in the opening 15 minutes, the bankers managed to get the break through with Gurmeet Singh scoring from a field effort in the 17 minute. Reserve Bank doubled the lead five minutes later when Prem Singh also scored through a field goal.
Rebels were unrattled by those two setbacks and replied back strongly with two quick goals to restore parity. In the 23rd minute Jonathan D’Souza got their opening goal before Arthur Castelino netted the second in the 26th minute to level the scores.
Reserve Bank pressed hard for another goal and found reward when they were awarded a penalty stroke which was successfully converted by Rahul Singh in the 49th minute to regain the lead (3-2). Thereafter they resolutely defended that lead to emerge victorious.
Reserve Bank outfit received the ‘Second Division Trophy’ and the winners’ purse of Rs 30,000 from Chief Guest Mangha Singh Bakshi, President MHAL while the Rebels SC players were presented with the runners-up prize money of Rs 15,000.
Results – Div-III (final): Reserve Bank of India 3 (Gurmeet Singh, Prem Singh, Rahul Singh) beat Rebels SC 2 (Jonathan D’Souza, Arthur Castelino).
Photo: The victorious Reserve Bank of India players make a happy picture as they pose with the Second Division Trophy after defeating Rebels SC 3-2 in the final of the MHAL League at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate.
Also seen in the photo is, MHAL President, Mangha Singh Bakhsi, Mrs Bakshi; MHAL Vice-President, Gurdip Singh Chandok; MHAL Hon. Gen. Secreatary, Ram Singh Rathor and MHAL Executive Committee Member Puran Singh.