HSBC, Bank Alfalah, Tip Moor taste fighting wins

LAHORE - HSBC Bank grabbed second victory along with Bank Alfalah Royal Banking while Tip Moor Al Khan-Rangers too tasted win on the second day of the National Polo Championship for the Quaid-I-Azam Gold Cup here at the LPC's Aibak ground on Wednesday. The HSBC Bank win was in deed a team effort in which Hissam Ali Hyder spotted the goal post four times while their foreign mate Jose Rivas penetrated through the polls thrice and Sufi Mohammad Haris, who converted one goal was instrumental in the game as a shield along with brother Sufi Mohammad Aamer. Though the resistance from Hilton Pharma was quite superlative but HSBC passed their test. And for Hilton, James Harper with four goals justified his presence but his performance was not enough to earn his team a win. Taimur Ali Malik 2 and John Fisher were the other players to score. Bank Alfalah enjoyed yet another win and this time over Wateen, which just the other day clinched the Punjab Cup. The title sponsor bank, which entered the field with a theme of Royal Banking, earned tit for tat 9-8 win. Though the game was not that much thrilling but the quartet of either sides responded to every call that came their way. Wateen opened the game through Favio Lavinia who got two goals in all but Gaston Moore was more active on the horse back, banging goal after goal to get double hat-trick in all. But all his efforts went in vane to the inform striking of Alejandro Astrada, who proved much superior in his pony and ball control. With his every stride towards the rivals (Wateen) danger zone, he got a goal. Usman Haye and Saqib Khan Khakawani provide support adding one goal in the scoresheet. In the last and high-scoring game of the day, Tip Moor Al Khan-Rangers combined team was extended to full length by the Ghazipur quartet of Alam brothers (Qublai and Shamly), Shaukat Ali Malik and Atif Tiwana. But they were lucky to edge ahead 13-12 all due to the major contribution of Tomas Pieres. This foreign player got eight setters from the 13 his team scored. While Raja Samiullah was also active in his stride and got four goals while Maj Usman added one but in both these players efforts Pieres was instrumental with his on the target passes. Asif Tiwana, Tony Keyte and Agha Murtaza Ali Khan made sure that the games stay smooth.

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