Local favourites Chandigarh Dynamos beat Bangalore Lions 3-2 to move to the top of the Premier Hockey League Tier-I table in Chandigarh on Sunday night.
The Lions enjoyed better possession in the first quarter but it was Dynamos who took the lead with a sudden counter-attack.
In the 12th minute, Deepak Thakur moved in from the left and earned the team's only penalty corner, which was converted by Devender Singh.
Though Bangalore Lions continued to play with short passes and had quality ball possession, the Dynamos created sudden moves, which proved dangerous with Deepak Thakur finding his form displaying his dribbling skills and speed.
Dynamos increased their lead in the second quarter with a brilliant move by Thakur.
Facing away from the goal, he sent a pass through his legs for Tejbir Singh on the right and moved into the circle. Tejbir sent a cross to Balder Bomans, who took a shot but Lions' custodian Bharat Chetri saved it.
Bomans got the rebound and with Chetri diving to block him, dribbled around him and moved to the goal line before sending a short pass to Thakur. Thakur just tapped in to make it 2-0.
Bangalore increased the pace of the game with tactical moves and pulled one back in the 39th minute through a penalty corner.
Len Aiyappa sent in a powerful drag flick to beat rival goalie Baljit Singh.