20 December 2004	Monday	07 Ziqa'ad 1425

LAHORE, Dec 19: Eight goals by Asif Yar Tiwana, including two hat tricks steered Soneri Bank to annex Seasons Canola Polo cup, brushing aside Artex International 9-5 1/2 in final on Sunday.

Artex led the first chukker 2 1/2-2, mainly by virtue of a one and a half-goal handicap. Asif, who led from the front, fired his first goal through a field effort with an angular shot. But Artex reiterated soon scoring a field goal through Waqar Nadir.

Minutes later, Asif, who scored five goals off penalty hits and three through field attempts, capitalised a 60 yard penalty to score his second. Artex managed to hold on the half goal lead 4 1/2-4 in the second chukker, too, as both teams banged home two goals each.

First, Azam Hayat Noon, who scored two, cashed in on a 40-yard penalty hit then his team mate Shahid Hayat scored a field goal to maintain Artex lead. But Asif did not remain behind. He converted two back-to-back spot penalties near the goalpost to score his third and the fourth goal before the second chukker ended.

When Asif scored the third he completed his first hat trick and the fourth put him on the path to grab another one. The bankers, eventually, came ahead 6-5 1/2 in the third chukker. Asif scored two more goals to complete the second hat trick.

Azam scored his second for the losers, which also proved their last goal of the final. The bankers dominated the fourth chukker completely by adding three goals to make the tally. First Tanvir Tariq scored a field goal after a long chase.

Asif netted back-to-back goals to complete the tally and sealed the fate of the match. Taimur Malik also stole the show by scoring six goals, included a hat trick, in completing Colony Textile 9 1/2-2 win over Ravi Autos to earn third position.

Yaqub Sial contributed two goals while Omer Asjad Malhi chipped in a goal. The winners had half goal handicap. For the losers, Sufi Mohammad Haris scored all two goals.