January 07, 2008	Monday	Zilhaj 27, 1428

LAHORE, Jan 6: A decisive goal in the extra chukker by six-goal Raja Samiullah helped Habib Bank Limited (HBL) win the Polo Cup, edging out Subway 8-7 after a nail-biting final on Sunday.

The all-important match started on a fast note, as it was 2-2 at the end of the first chukker. Samiullah banged home both goals for the winners while three-goal Atif Tiwana and two-goal Ahmed Zubair added one goal each to restore the parity.

Atif brought Subway ahead (3-2) in the second chukker, scoring the solitary field goal after a long chase of the ball.

The fight for supremacy continued in the third chukker, with the score tied again at 5-5.

First HBL dominated, scoring three goals in a row to build up 5-3 lead with Samiullah striking twice and Taimur Ali Malik chipped in one. But Subway unwilling to relent, roared back to catch up the rivals adding two goals from Ahmed and Agha Murtaza.

It was again a see-saw situation in the fourth chukker, ending at 7-7. First Atif Tiwana slammed his third for the losers putting them ahead 6-5. But Taimur, scoring his second restored the parity (6-6) for the bankers with a field goal on solo efforts.

Hashim Kamal Agha put Subway 7-6 ahead, cashing in on a pass from Atif Tiwana only to find Samiullah equalising through a field goal in the dying minute to make it 7-7 to leave the decision to an extra chukker.

Samiullah scored a field goal in the extra chukker played on sudden death to complete the tally.

Earlier, Newage Cables beat Emaar 7 1/2-6 to earn third place. For the winning side, who had a vital 1 1/2 goal handicap, Shah Shamyl Alam (2), Qadeer Ashfaq (2), Saqib Khan Khakwani (1), and Adnan Jalil (1) were the contributors. For the losing side, Haseeb Minhas (3), Naveed M Sheikh (2) and Ashfaq Ahmed (1) were the scorers.—Sports Reporter