LAHORE, March 15: Guard Rice entered the final of the Spring Cup polo tournament after a closely contested semifinal against Shahpur Club on Saturday.

A sudden-death goal by Shah Qubilai Alam in extra fifth chukker enabled Rice to beat Shahpur 7-6.

Both teams were tied 1-1 in the first chukker.

Arsalan Najib, gave the winners an early lead by scoring a field goal with an under-the-neck shot. Asif Yar Tiwana equalised also through a field goal with a long hit.

Rice surged ahead 3-2 at the end of second chukker.

Taimur Malik, who scored three goals struck his first through a field attempt. Ahmad Ali Tiwana, who also scored three goals made it 2-2 for Shahpur by scoring his first under-the-neck shot.

Within minutes, Qubilai scored his first goal, converting a 60 yards penalty hit.

In the third chukker Rice increased their lead 5-3 when Taimur and Arsalan struck their second goals, while Ahmad scored his second for Shahpur. In the fourth chukker, Shahpur staged a comeback scoring three goals to equalise the score 6-6, leaving the result on the extra chukker. Asif Yar, Atif Yar and Ahmad Ali scored a goal each.

For Rice, Taimur struck his third goal.

In the extra chukker, Qubilai netted a spot penalty near the goal post to score the match-winner.

Three goals by Shah Shamyl Alam guided Green Earth Recycling GER to a 5-1 Victory against Care Knitwear in the second semifinal.

The first chukker was goalless.

GER took a 2-1 lead in the second chukker after conceding a goal. Isfandadyar Pataudi struck for Knitwear by converting a 60 yards penalty hit.

Minutes later, Shamyl struck his first goal through a 40 yards penalty hit to restore the parity 1-1. Agha Murtaza Ali Khan made it 2-1 for GER when he crowned a field effort. His under the belly shot hit some 70 yards away found the net.

In the third chukker, Shamyl banged home his second goal also through a field attempt to increase the lead 3-1.

GER put further pressure on the losers by scoring two more goals in the fourth chukker to complete the tally. Raja Sattar scored a goal with a long hit before Shamyl slammed in his third.

The final will be played on Sunday at 4pm.