Champion Club, Exchequers of Bank of Ghana, suffered their first defeat of the season when arch rivals Trustees of SSNIT defeated them 3-2 in their thrilling Pepsi Hockey league match played at the National Hockey Pitch on Saturday.

Unlike their opponents who played a cautious and a tactical game in the first half, the Bankers played their usual fast game with William Cudjoe, Samuel Kwaw and Daniel Lamptey playing in the midfield. Alfred Armah, Adjei Boateng and Edmund Odametey played as their strikers in the first half.

Trustees veterans, Ebo Arthur and Samuel Ofosu, who exhibited high defensive skills with experience and were supported by Sam Benedict, Sylvester Adenu and Ben Baiden, were very tactical in their game, to contain the fast Exchequers strikers.

Adjei Boateng took advantage of a long pass, and beat Trustees goalkeeper Gordon Oblitey to register the first goal for the Bankers in the 28th minute. Six minutes later, Daniel Lamptey made it two for the Bankers before half time.

Trustees who changed their game plan in the second half, employed long passes with occasional attacks from the right flank.

Fans were not surprised when Emmanuel Nartey pounced on a loose ball which deceived Exchequers goalkeeper Bright Dzokoto and defender Aziz Adimah, to reduce the tally for the Trustful boys in the 36th minute.

Alfred Akrone brought both teams on level terms when another deceptive flick caught goalkeeper Bright Dzokoto on the wrong foot in the 60th minute.

As the game seemed to be heading for a draw, Benedict Sam hit the backboard with a first time penalty corner strike for the match winner in the 67th minute.

In another exciting game, Reformers of Ghana Prison Service returned to their winning ways after losing three matches in a row defeating Golden sticks who have become the whipping boys of the Pepsi Hockey league Reformers scored their two goals through Micheal Ayornu and Solomon Engman, with Jocob Sowah scoring the consolation goal for the Golden Boys.

Citizens played an improved game but lost 3-1 to Marine Sticks of Ghana Navy. Kingsley Tinkorang, Eric Sackey and Fred Sarpong scored for the Military Team. Skipper Robert Quaye scored the consolation goal for Citizens.

CEPS also hammered Veterans 9-0. Francis Antwi (4 goals) Mustapher Dadzi (2 goals), John Bress, Ebenezer Frimpong and Kwasi Aiduonu scored for the tax officers.

Fire Service hustled to defeat Kingsticks 3-1. Jacob Quartey scored 2 goals and Michael Nartey scored for the fire officers.

Gabriel Dodji score the consolation goal for Kingsticks. In the only ladies encounter, CEPS thrashed Comets 12-0. In an outstanding match played on Wednesday, Fire Service defeated Reformers 3-2.