Chalakudy, April 28: Much was expected from the young ITI bunch who gave defending champions Punjab Police a scare in the Vadodara leg last week. But the Karnataka state champions, could not do much against Chennai's Indian Bank in a Pool `B' men's match of the 20th Federation Cup Volleyball Championship here this evening. The bankmen won 15-9, 15-13, and 15-9.The match which was marked by some good rallies in the first set saw the Bangalore team catching up with their rivals at 8-8, before losing the set 9-15 in 27 minutes.
ITI put up a better display in the second set. However, the bankmen's superiority at the net blocks helped them stage a comeback, despite terrific spiking from Prakash Rao of ITI. From 0-7 at one stage, the Chennai side, aided by intelligent placements and strong netblocks, rallied well to cut the rival lead and levelled at 8-8. Nagaraj Hegde's well-calculated serves gave ITI a 12-8 lead, but Indian Bank strengthened their defence, closed the loopholes and went ahead 13-12, thanks toall-round displays by internationals Sayeekrishna, skipper Yoganathan and Muthuraj. They won the set in 28 minutes (15-13).
Indian Bank led all through the third set before wrapping the set and the match.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
