BHOPAL, 10 May — Punjab Police continuing their dream run of title triumphs laid their hands on the third crown this season when they pocketed the 10th edition of All India Akbar Rafiq Hockey Tournament here at the Arifnagar Stadium on Monday.

In the final played on the natural turf Punjab Police rallied to down a spirited Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) by two goals to one to win the tournament. The policemen from Jallandhar had beaten the same rivals CRPF emphatically 3-1 in Kolkatta on the fourth of last month to regain the coveted Beighton Cup after a gap of five years. Later on 16th April Punjab Police retained the U & I Champions Trophy when they trounced Indian Oil Corporation 6-0 in the final of the second All India Raghavendra Itigi memorial hockey championship held in Bangalore.

The CRPF boys, who played their hearts out to avenge their Beighton Cup debacle, could not capitalize a number of openings that came their way in the first half and eventually paid the penalty. In the 30th minute of the game a goal-bearing move from the left flank saw the ball relayed from a difficult angle by CRPF’s Y. Hemram via a reverse flick to teammate Tanveer Jamal standing in front of open goal missing a sitter, when even the Punjab Police goalkeeper Ashok Kumar had charged out.

After a goalless first half CRPF even failed to hold on to their solitary goal advantage earned five minutes into the second session when J. Topno scored a goal through a rebound on the penalty corner hit taken by skipper SK Vashsistha.(1-0).

Stung by the reverse Punjab Police boys pulled up their socks and made a concerted effort while unleashing a series of raids on the CRPF citadel. Thirteen minutes later their efforts bore fruit when international Kulveer Singh drew parity in the 53rd minute as he gently tapped home a free hit awarded to the team just outside the circle while CRPF custodian Y. Ravindra had charged out leaving the goal wide open (1-1). International Sarabjeet Singh seven minutes later found the target via indirect hit following the second penalty corner earned by Punjab Police (2-1).

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh presented the prizes to the teams.