Jamshedpur, April 1: Tata Steel defeated Bharat Munda Samaj B 1-0 in the final to win the Jamshedpur Sporting Association (JSA) open hockey league at JRD Tata Sports Complex today.

The match was evenly contested with both teams adopting defensive tactics. Both sides gave their best but the goals remained elusive in the first-half.

However, Tata Steel managed to find the net via N. Herenj, whose powerful drive from left flank found the net in the 26th minute of the second-half. The match gained momentum after the goal as Munda out tried for the equaliser. It seemed to materialise on one or two occasions but the shots went astray.

Earlier, Tata Steel romped into the finals by posting a 3-2 win (via tie-breaker) over Jamshedpur Friends Club A in the semi-finals while Munda Samaj B overcame stiff resistance from Jamshedpur Friends Club B before prevailing 1-0 in the other semi-final clash.

T. Herenj of Munda Samaj B was adjudged the best player of the tournament while teammate John Bhengra walked home with the best goalie award.

Markas Barla, an ex-national hockey player, was also felicitated on the occasion.

Tata Steel sports wing chief Ravi Radhakrishnan handed over the trophy to the winning outfit in the presence of JSA vice-president Mukul Choudhry, secretary Avinash Kumar and other functionaries.

JSA open hockey league made a comeback after a decade. It was twice postponed due to poor ground condition owing to social functions at the venue.