Local League: Income Tax prevails over SCR

As the scoreline suggests, Income Tax was made to struggle in the first set before it won by a narrow margin. SCR put up a brave fight but it was undone by some unforced errors that gifted points to the Tax team on a platter. Buoyed by winning the first set, Income Tax upped the ante in the second and earned some cheap points.

What caught the eye was its performance near the net as they played deft drop shots and unleashed fierce smashes. 

The second set was a completely one-sided affair with the Railway team unable to withstand the intensity with which Income Tax dominated. However, knowing that it had to win the third set to stay alive in the match, South Central Railway came out of the blocks quickly and put in a much better show. Its effort was duly rewarded as it clinched a pulsating third set with the score of 21-25. 

SCR’s performance improved leaps and bounds as any attempts by Income Tax to claw its way back was nipped in the bud. But, Income Tax was not to be denied as it bounced back strongly in the fourth set to claim it by a 25-23 margin. 

The fourth set was a roller-coaster ride for both teams as the lead constantly kept changing hands before Income Tax sneaked ahead with some key smashes marked by precision and power to seal the tie. In the evening’s second match, Tamil Nadu Police won its second match in a row as it beat SDAT Chennai in straight sets. 

In the women’s draw Kerala Police staved off Southern Railway’s challenge to prevail 25-19, 26-24, 25-21.

Results: Men: Indian Income Tax bt South Central Railway 25-23, 25-18, 21-25, 25-23, Tamil Nadu Police bt SDAT Chennai 25-19, 26-24, 25-18. Women: Tamil Nadu Youth bt South Central Railway 25-19, 25-21, 26-24, Kerala Police bt Southern Railway 25-19, 26-24, 25-21.