See-Saw Semi Finals.

Folks, got a bit late in writing up on Friday's games. with organizing the Nurpur Junior Polo league, playing the low goal Nurpur Cup and work, was just too pooped to write in. Here's a quick synopsis of what happened in the two games. 

Game 1 

Bilal Haye and Raul Laplacette, elbowing for the ball.
Pic. by HRK Niazi

Diamond Paints against Bank Alfalah and one has to hand it to the Diamond boys. I had a long sitting with Hassan Commando the other day and he had cottoned up to the idea of changing the line up and what a wise decision that was. He too the knock in himself and put Vieri and Bilal Haye in front of him. Suddenly Diamond Paints started looking like the team it should. From a rag tag, loosely jointed, not connecting team to a extremely potent attacking side. Although the Bankers opened the scoring, Vieri was quick to reply with a 40 yard dead center of the uprights. 

Vieri and Hussain Iftikhar.
Hussain on his home bred mare 'Lucky' out of an Australian mare.
Pic. by HRK Niazi

The 2nd Chukkar went to DP as well with Vieri converting a 60 and tapping in a field goal. Raul Laplacette had earlier put in a field goal. The game see-sawed with two goals a piece in the 3rd Chukkar and DP took the field in the 4th with a goal ahead and what a good game it was to watch. Raul Laplacette put in a spot penalty to equalize and then made a fantastic run down the middle to score putting his team ahead for the first time. Time eventually ran out for Diamond Paints but they'll take a lot back from this game as they've slowly becoming a team to be taken seriously.

Raul on one of Naveed's new mare, imported this season

Vieri on Tequila, won BPP in 2006

Final score 6 to 5 for Bank Alfalah. Two straight wins and they're in the final tomorrow and are the clear favorites. 

Game 2

This is the pool which was wide open. Newage Cables and Pakistan Army are on 2 points, with a win each. Master Paints, with Gaston Moore playing today, have to win by a margin of 3 goals from Pakistan Army to book a berth for the finals. I had written earlier that this was a game worthy of a final and at times the semi final matches are far more keenly contested and exciting then the main finals. It certainly proved my right. Harper on Gaston and vice e versa on almost every play. In fact all the four players on each side were well in the game. Sufi Amir picked up a an injury before the 2nd Chukkar could begin and in came Moin 'Bomber" Yaqub. Not having played for 4 weeks, Moin was a dicey bet but he held his own. 

Gaston on Pintada watched closely by Ahmed 'Nachi' Tiwana.
Pic. by HRK Niazi

Gaston played his usual spectacular best and Harper, the cool, calm and collected was in his element. By the middle of the 4th, Master Paints we ahead by two goals and Saqib Khakwani pushed a well judged line to claim a 40 yards for MP. This was it... the ticket to the final. Two goals up, one more to score, the Chukkar almost over.... game, set and match. 

Gaston on Pincha, a new import by Sufi brothers this year. Beautiful mare.
Pic. by HRK Niazi. 

Gaston on his favorite mare Pintada, tees the ball, takes his time, walks his horse slowly towards the ball, Harper on the line, ready to pounce in for the block, Gaston takes a few practice swings, walks up... swings.... and OUT...!!!!... can you believe it..??  and out by miles.. total miss hit... Pakistan Army could not believe their luck... a few plays later ..Ting Ting Ting.. end of the Chukkar bell and Pakistan Army go in the final on a better goal average despite a loss. Master Paints will have to play for the Subsidiary now against Guard Filters while Army takes on Bank Alfalah. 

Expecting a good game tomorrow if the heavens allow... 30% chance of rain...!!

cheers, 

Agha