India 'A' takes lead

Coimabtore, Feb 12 (UNI) Local lad Joseph chakola and Bangalore's Aniraban Lahiri, representing India 'A', finished with a tally of two over 146 to storm into lead in the opening round of the international team event of the 106th Royal Challege All India Amateur Gold Championship, at the par-72 Coimbatore Golf Club here today. Lahiri returned the day's best score of level-par 72 while Chakola shot a 74 today.

Three teams -- South Africa (Branden Grace, Ruan Botha), Sri Lnka (Mithun Perera, K Prabagaran) and Bangladesh (Mohammad Shahid, Mohammad Siddikur) -- were tied for the second place at 149, three strokes behind India A.

India B, comprising Jasjeet Singh and Shaurya Singh, were in the fifth place at 150, thanks mainly to a 74 by Shaurya. The Pakistan team comprising Taring Mehamood and Adil Jahangir were in sixth with a tally of 152.

The final round of the team strokeplay event will be held tomorrow followed by the matchply championship on February 14.

Scores: (first round): 146 India A (Anirban Lahiri-72 JosephChakola-74).

South Africa- 149 (Branden grace-74, ruah Botha-75), Bangladesh= (Mohammad Siddikur-73, Mohammad Shahid-76, Sri Lanka=K Prabagaran-73, Mithun Prera-76: 150 India B (Shaurya Singh-74, Jasjeet singh-76: 152 Pakistan (Adil Jahangir-75, Tarig Mehmood 77) UNI