Aiyamma, with his deft stick-work, contributed in a big way, scoring three out of five goals, in a contest that had all the trappings of an exciting final. The Capital’s hockey fraternity, which had come out in big numbers to watch the two best departmental teams slug it out in the final, did not go disappointed. In fact, after a long time, hockey-lovers were treated to a sumptuous feast, with two equals trying to outdo the other. Aiyamma’s feat on the day, however, stood out.

Though Ravi Pal Singh opened the account for Bharat Petroleum in the 11th minute, the first of Aiyamma’s three goals in the 20th minute helped Bharat Petroleum surge ahead (2-1). His cracking shot from the top of the striking circle, that easily foxed goalkeeper Sanjay Kukreti, gave ample evidence of his superb ball control and fitness. The Bangalore-based international — whose best playing years were between 1999 and 2003 — today showed some glimpses of his old self when he scored his second and the team’s third goal off a cross from the right in the 46th minute.

Aiyamma, displaying sharp reflexes, always kept the Oil defence busy, and with great skills, made easy inroads into the rival territory. In the 56th minute, after collecting a stray ball from the midfield, he made no mistake in putting it past the keeper to score his third and the team’s fifth goal (5-3). It is not that the star-studded Indian Oil team did not put up any resistance, particularly against the fleet-footed Bangalorean. Their defenders did a splendid job while the forwards took the fight to the opposition camp, even as their midfield creted opportunities. But, as luck would have it, they manged to convert only three such chances throughout the contest.

International Deepak Thakur scored in the 17th minute while Roshan Minz and Deedar Singh scored in the 39th and 49th minutes, respectively for Oil. They managed to reduce the margin further in the 61st minute when Tyron Pereira scored following a goal-mouth melee (4-5). However hard they tried in the closing stages, time was running out for them as the tight BP defence held fort to keep Oil at bay.