LAHORE, Jan 6: Four goals by Taimur Malik steered Guard Rice to an impressive 6 1/2-3 win over The Balochis as two matches were decided in the Novices Cup polo tournament.

Rice beat The Balochis with a fine display of horsemanship by Taimur .

The winners led the first chukker 1 1/2-1 by virtue of its 1/2 goal handicap, with Taimur scoring his first goal only to be equalised by a goal from Mohsin Khosa.

The Balochis retaliated and were leading 3- 2 1/2 when the second chukker ended. Nasir Ahmad Khan and Ashfaq scored a goal each for the losers. Taimur banged home his second goal.

Rice staged a four-goal rally in the third chukker, two each by Taimur and Irfan Ali Hyder to complete the tally.

The fourth chukker was goalless.

In the other match of the day, Diamond Paints thrashed Sherwood 7 1/2-1

Amanat, Mir Shoaib Ahmad and Maula Bakhsh scored two goals each for the Paints who had 1 1/2 goal handicap. The only goal of Sherwood was scored by Mustafa Tiwana.