March 18, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 9, 1429

LAHORE, March 17: Five-goal Raja Samiullah helped Bank of Punjab/Rangers, a team comprising all local players to annex the first Pakistan Polo Cup, defeating Nestle Orange Juices 7-4 1/2 in the final on Sunday.

Having the services of Shah Qubilai Alam, Asif Zahoor and Adnan Jalil in their ranks, against Tomas Reinoso’s led side of Omar Asjad Malhi, Agha Murtaza Ali Khan and Atif Tiwana, the winners, with the exception of the the second chukker dominanted the entire match.

They led the first chukker 2- 1 1/2 . Samiullah drew first blood, scoring a field goal off Qubilai’s angular pass. Asif Zahoor struck his first to consolidate the lead. Renioso, the three-goal scorer, fired his first to reduce the margin for the losers, who had half-goal on handicap.

Renioso again showed his presence to put his team ahead for the first and last time 2 1/2-2.

Samiullah really stole the show in the third chukker, scoring three as the winners were in sound position with a lead of 5-3 1/2. Samiullah scored his first two through field efforts on his solo efforts, while slamming the third, his fourth in the match, converting a 30-yard penalty hit. Atif banged home for the losers cashing in on a fine pass from Renioso.

In the fourth chukker, the winners kept the attacking game adding two more, leaving no chance for the rivals to stage a comeback. Though Renioso pumped in his fourth goal in the beginning, Samiullah’s fifth and Asif second sealed the fate of the match.Earlier, Nirala Sweets notched up third position, defeating Pakistan Air Force 8- 6 1/2.

For the winning side, Dhruvpal Godara scored six goals while Taimur Ali Malik added two.For the losing side, who had 2 1/2 goal handicap Shaukat Ali Malik contributed three goals while Tauheed Ahmed one.