March 11, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 2, 1429

LAHORE, March 10: Punjab-A retained the title defeating Police 29-7 in the final of the 17th national rugby championship at the Defense Stadium on Sunday night.

Two try scored by Omar Butt and one by international Arslan Zahid played key role for the defending champions to carve out an easy win.

Earlier, in the semi-final Punjab A powered its way to the final defeating its own B team easily 34-5 after leading 21-0 at half time. Mannan, Umer Usman and Mohammad Babar were scorers. For Punjab-B Imran Ahmed, who excelled throughout tournament made one try.

In the second semi-final, Police upset a strong Islamabad in the most thrilling match of the competition, which had been extended to extra-time after 12-all at the end of the regulation time. Islamabad had seized 12-0 lead, before Police fought back with two tries to equal the score.

In extra time, played on sudden death, Islamabad did most of the attacking but the last pass would not go to hand.

Police’s winger Rafique Bhatti, who was adjudged Player of the Tournament, ran from the Islamabad 22 yard-line to score a brilliant individual try, evading three tacklers on the left touchline to finish off an unlikely win.

In all, a record 16 teams participated in the one-day championship.