Services win men's hockey gold

Services won the gold medal in the men's hockey competition at the 31st National Games, defeating Karnataka by a solitary first half goal in the final, at the Surjit hockey stadium in Jallandhar on Tuesday.

The all-important goal came in the 22nd minute when Avtar Singh converted a penalty-stroke.

Earlier, Punjab, gold medalists of the last Games, took the bronze medal after beating West Bengal 3-0.

The only real chance the Services defence allowed Karnataka in the first half was in the 16th minute. Sandeep Somesh, after collecting the ball in the left flank, dashed towards the penalty area and after catching rival goalkeeper Mahadhk off guard, pushed towards the goal but Paramjit Singh came from behind to bring a fine save.

In the second half, Karnataka played an improved game and attacked the rival defence on a number of occasions. But each time their forwards were halted in their tracks through some fine interceptions by the rival defence.

Both Services and Karnataka earned a penalty-corner each in the second half but these were wasted due to poor trapping.

In the earlier match, Punjab, who were edged out 3-2 by Services in the semis on Monday, dominated throughout. They combined well, played artistic hockey and delighted with superb stickwork.

Despite playing attractive hockey a goal eluded them till the 50th minute when Rajinder Singh sounded the boards from a penalty-corner.

The goal spurred the hosts and a wave of attacks followed. They made it 2-0 through Jagbir Singh before Rajinder Singh could add another goal to his name in the 68th minute off a penalty-corner.