MUMBAI, December 23: Abhijit Bhurke of Podar College emerged the sole leader with seven points at the end of the penultimate round of the Bombay Chess Association being played at the Zandu Pharmaceutical Works Canteen, yesterday.

Overnight joint leaders, fifth-seed Subhash Honmurgi (Voltas) and 10th-seed Ganesh Bhilare lost on time. Honmurgi lost to Bhurke on time making 29 moves, one short to complete the first time-control condition. Bhilare also lost on time, in 28 moves to M Sudarshan of Mazagaon who claimed the second-spot with 6.5 points to his credit.

With this loss both Honmurgi and Bhilare go out of contention for the title. They now share the third position with third-seed Saumil Desai, Deepak Tandel, fourth seed M Srinath and Janvion Rodrigues.

ZUBER 'TRICKS: Six Goals, including a hat-trick, by captain Mohammed Zuber were the highlight of Sports Authority of India's (SAI) 11-1 drubbing of Rajput XI in the BHA First Division League at the Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate, today.

Centre-forward Tabrez Sher Khan (4) and Syed Irshad Ali were the other scorers for SAI. Agnelo Noronha netted Rajput's consolation goal.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.