The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Sandeep Michael shines as Fortis runs riot

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Friday, Sep 28, 2007
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Sport - Hockey

Sandeep Michael shines as Fortis runs riot

BANGALORE: Fortis thumped a clueless HAL 10-2 in the Synergy Sports-super division hockey league at the KSHA Stadium here on Thursday.

With this win, Fortis jumped into the third spot behind BPCL and IOCL, both of whom have tallied 18 points from six encounters each. Fortis, however, has played seven matches.

The tone for a big win was provided by former India player, Sandeep Michael.

Sandeep, who lost his place in the National side due to injuries, seemed to have regained some semblance of his form in this league, playing for the newly formed outfit, formed by KSHA President and India team manager, R.K. Shetty.

Fortis got into its groove with Sandeep’s goal in the third minute and a minute later, K.K. Bharat added to the tally.

Sandeep made it 3-0 in the 14th minute before a twin strike by K.M. Chengappa gave Fortis a handy lead.

Pramod Kumar (three), Rajeev and Bharat once completed the goal glut for Fortis. Teja Babu (26th) and Rajesh (50th) reduced the margin.

HAL has drawn a blank in the seven matches it has played so far.

In the second match, ASC, thanks to a brace from captain Harpreet Singh, edged out Canara Bank 2-1 for its first win in seven outings.

Harpreet scored in the 47th and 56th minutes, while Varun Chinnappa pulled one back for the bankmen.

While ASC has five points from seven matches, Canara Bank crashed to its fourth defeat in six outings and has six points.

Swimmers felicitated

The Karnataka swimming team which retained the overall title in the 61st senior National aquatics championship at Panaji last Sunday, was felicitated by the Commissioner of the Department of Youth Services and Sports at Yavanika Hall in the State Youth Centre here on Thursday.

In appreciation of its performance, the team was presented with a cheque of Rs. one lakh by the Government while the Karnataka Olympic Association president, K. Govindaraj, gave a cheque of Rs. 25, 000. The Karnataka Swimming Association secretary, T.D. Vijayaraghavan, while thanking the DYSS, KOA and the State government for their gesture, sought more support and encouragement to State swimmers, who have been constantly bringing laurels.

All the medal winners from Karnataka, including the Best Swimmer of the senior Nationals, Rehan Poncha graced the occasion.

Rohit to meet Mayur

The top two seeds, Rohit Bhist of Delhi and Mayur J. Mohit of Chennai, will clash in the boys’ singles final of the ATF under-14 junior ranking tennis championship at the Bowring Institute courts here on Friday. The two scripted hard fought wins in the semifinals on Thursday. Rohit prevailed over Tushal Thawni 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(2) in about two hours while, Mayur defeated Digvijay Singh at 6-7(5), 7-6(10-8), 6-1 in 150 minutes.

It was an uphill struggle for Rohit all the way as he blew a 4-2 lead n the first set, trailed 4-5 and saved three set points, before scampering home in a tie-breaker in the first set. In the second, he had a tough time. Trailing 0-5 against his hard hitting rival, Rohit clawed his back to cut the deficit to 4-5, before Tushal broke him again to take the set.

Strong challenge

In the decider, Rohit staved off a strong challenge after Tushal rallied to level at 4-4 after trailing 1-4. With the set going into tie-breaker, the top seed kept his nerve to win a thriller.

Mohit too had a roller-coaster ride against Digvijay Singh in the first two sets. But the Chennai lad found his bearing after taking the second set in a tense tie-break (10-8) and went for his strokes in the decider. Digvijay simply lost the momentum after the marathon tussle and caved in meekly in the third. Rohit also made the boys’ doubles final, partnering younger brother Ronit.

Lopsided

In the lopsided girls’ singles semifinals, Anushka Bhargava of AP humbled local lass, Ravina Shetty 6-2, 6-1 while B. Soujanya beat Ankita Bhatia 6-4, 6-2. Sowjanya is also in line for a double, as she made the doubles final partnering Ankita Bhargava.

The results (semifinals): Boys: singles: Rohit Bhist bt Tushal Thawani 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6 (2); Mohit J. Mayur bt Digvijay Singh 6-7(5), 7-6(8), 6-1.

Doubles (mini sets): Rohit & Ronit Bhist bt R. Vigneshwaran & Sharan Patil 4-0, 4-2; Digvijay Singh & R. Ramkumar bt Vishal Passi & D. Jaiswal 1-4, 4-2, 10-5.

Girls: singles: Anushka Bhargava bt Ravina Shetty 6-2, 6-1; B. Soujanya bt Ankita Bhatia 6-4, 6-2.

Doubles: Soujanya & Ankita Bhargava bt Saranya Sivani Varma & Sukhmani Kaur 4-0, 4-1; V.K.C. Visesh & Zainab Sajjad Ali bt S. Spurti & M. Spurti 4-0, 4-2.

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