New Delhi: Dena Bank, with a young team, put up a fantastic show and almost derailed the plans of Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) of retaining their top perch in Group B in the AAI 44th Inter-Institutional Table Tennis Championships at the Thyagraj Stadium here today. But the old warhorse Anindita Chakraborty, holding on bravely, put paid to the ambitions of Dena Bank, who lost 2-3. They should, however, be finishing behind RSPB in the group to qualify for the second stage of the event.

Otherwise, things went according to the script as all other group toppers went through their motions to keep their No. 1 position in their respective groups. Title holders PSPB beat Central Revenue Board 3-0 and got a walkover from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited to move into the second stage, which is a knockout. Simialrly, hosts Airports Authority of India (AAI) scored an identical 3-0 triumphs over RBI and Indian Audit, Air India beat ESIC 3-0 and then downed LIC 3-1 to qualify.

As for men, PSPB, RSPB, AAI, Air India, Indian Audit and Central Revenue have held on to the top position in their respective groups after two rounds. Except for the top teams like PSPB, RSPB and AAI, who are expected to keep their No. 1 position in their groups, the rest may retain their positions or swap places depending on their performances in the third round matches which are slated to begin later this evening. Going by their display so far, they should all be joining the big teams in Stage 2.

Coming back to the match of the day in the women’s section, Dena Bank held a 2-1 advantage under Anindata Chakraborty entered the scene for her reverse singles. Taking on Krithicka Sivaramakrishan, who is a youth player, Anindita played ball with her opponent. It was a touch and go affair until the fourth as both players had taken the alternative games to make it 2-2. However, in the decider the veteran showed her true colours, keeping the ball on the table and forcing Krithica into errors. Taking an early lead and firm grip, the Railways veteran shut out the Dena Bank player from Tamil Nadu for a 6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6 win.

This must have given enough confidence for Sukanya Bose, who earlier lost to Krithica, to take on Frenaz Chipia, who had lost her first rubber to Anindita 3-2. Nevertheless, Frenaz put up a good fight in the second game before losing steam as Bose went about finishing the task methodically.

In fact, between the two both Railways and Dena Bank played out 24 games, taking almost two hours to complete the task.

The day also witnessed another good game between Air India and Food Corporation of India in the men’s section. Despite having players like Sarthak Gandhi and Sivananda Seshadri, FCI folded up to the guiles of Air India’s Nishaad Shah, Sanish Ambekar, who won the third singles, and Chinmay Datar clinching the reverse fifth rubber against Seshadari 3-1. He had earlier lost to Nishaad Shah 3-0 which in the ultimate analysis proved costly.

With five teams figuring in both the Youth Boys and Youth Girls, clear pictures will emerge only after the round-robin league matches get over tomorrow.

Earlier, the championships were inaugurated by Dr Prabhat Kumar, IAS, Director General, Civil Aviation followed by a cultural programme.