LAHORE: A four-goal strike by Pedro Zacharias steered Telenor Shahsawars to the Borjan Punjab Polo Cup title as they edged out Newage/Master Paints 6-5 in the final here on Saturday.

The match started on a fast pace as the losers came out with a firm 4-2 lead in the first chukker.

Matias Vial Perez, who struck four goals in the match, drew the first blood converting a 30-yard penalty hit. Though Zacharias hit back-to-back goals to earn 2-1 lead for Shahsawars, an in-form Perez put his side ahead once again with a brace. Perez’s team-mate Hissam Ali Hyder fired one to make it 4-2 for the losing side.

Shahsawars, however, roared back in the second chukker, equalling the scoreline 4-4 as Zacharias and Bilal Haye contributed one goal apiece.

Keeping the pressure on their opponents who had gone on the defensive, Shahsawars in the third chukker earned two more goals through Zacharias to take a 6-4 lead.

In the fourth and final chukker, the losers tried to stage a comeback but could only add one goal, giving Shahsawars a 6-5 victory.

Meanwhile, four goals by Hyab Cruz Losada and their one-and-a-half goal handicap helped Learning Alliance/Ravi Autos finish third as they overwhelmed Army/Bank Alfalah 5½-5 in a close finish in the thir-place playoff.

Tomas Llorente (three), Maj. Omer Minhas and Maj. Haseeb Minhas (one goal apiece) scored goals for the losing team.

Published in Dawn March 1st , 2015

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