New Delhi, 18 March (H.S.): On the second day of the 5th PSPB Baba Deep Singh Hockey (Men’s and Women’s) Tournament in New Delhi, Shyam Lal College delivered a crushing performance in the men’s category, thrashing St Stephen’s College by a lopsided score of 13–1 at the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur (Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur) Khalsa College grounds. The victory highlighted Shyam Lal’s attacking dominance and underlined the defensive struggles of the once‑fancied St Stephen’s side.

Shyam Lal’s forward line ran riot, grinding down St Stephen’s with relentless pressure and clinical finishing. Captain Atul Chaudhary led from the front, scoring five goals, while Pratyush Singh Jaggi added a hat‑trick. The rest of the pack—Manmohan, Abhishek, Harsh, Pankaj and Aakash—each found the net once, piling up the 13‑goal tally with remarkable efficiency. St Stephen’s managed only a solitary reply, courtesy of Vishal, underscoring the gulf in balance and composure between the two sides.

Atul Chaudhary’s all‑round contribution earned him the Player of the Match award, capping a performance that swung the tie within the early quarters. For St Stephen’s, this marked their second consecutive heavy defeat in the tournament, raising questions about their defensive organisation and midfield cover against teams with more structured attacking structures.

In another men’s match, Hansraj College squared off against the Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and Sports Science (IGIPESS), with the game ending 2–2 after a keenly contested battle. The draw reflected the parity between two well‑balanced university‑level outfits, with both teams trading blows and countering effectively in the circle.

Gurshish of Hansraj College was adjudged Player of the Match for his influence in midfield and his ability to create and convert crucial opportunities.

In the women’s category, Delhi University Alumnae edged past Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College by a narrow 2–1 margin, showcasing a tighter, more disciplined contest. The Alumnae side’s composure in the final quarter proved decisive, as they managed to convert one of their half‑chances into a match‑winning goal.

Sangeeta Yadav, the Alumnae midfielder, was chosen Player of the Match for her control in the middle of the park and her role in crafting the critical goal‑creating move.

With Shyam Lal’s dominant win, the ongoing PSPB–Baba Deep Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament already promises a tightly contested campaign in the later rounds. The results underline the value of structured set‑piece play and defensive discipline, even as the Delhi‑university circuit continues to produce raw, attacking hockey that keeps fans engaged throughout the event.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar