The Bank of Punjab (BoP) 95th Punjab Polo Cup witnessed exhilarating matches at the Lahore Polo Club on Wednesday, where FG Polo and DS Polo emerged victorious amidst an enthusiastic crowd of spectators.
The event was graced by Lahore Polo Club President Malik Azam Hayat Noon, members of the executive committee, and numerous polo enthusiasts who gathered to witness the high-goal season action.
In the day's opening match, FG Polo showcased their prowess with a commanding 6-3 triumph over BN Polo. FG Polo's triumph was spearheaded by Argentinian player Raul Laplacette, who scored all six goals for his team. BN Polo's effort included two goals from Santiago Loza and one from Hamza Mawaz Khan.
BN Polo initially took the lead with a field goal in the first chukker. However, FG Polo retaliated in the second chukker, netting three consecutive goals to secure a 3-1 lead. BN Polo narrowed the gap to 2-3 just before halftime. The third chukker was tightly contested, with BN Polo leveling the score at 3-3, but FG Polo's relentless attack in the final chukker resulted in three back-to-back goals, sealing their 6-3 victory.
The second match of the day was a closely fought contest between DS Polo and Olympia/AZB Polo, with DS Polo edging out their opponents 6-5 in a sudden death chukker. DS Polo's English player Max Charlton was the star of the match, scoring five goals, while teammate Daniyal Shaikh added one. For Olympia/AZB Polo, Nicolas Corti and Ahmed Zubair Butt each scored two goals, and Valentin Novillo Astrada contributed one.
DS Polo took an early lead, scoring three goals by the end of the second chukker. Olympia/AZB Polo fought back, closing the gap to 3-2. They continued their comeback in the third chukker, taking a 5-4 lead. The fourth chukker saw intense exchanges, with DS Polo leveling the score at 5-5, thanks to a 40-yard penalty shot by Max Charlton. In the sudden death chukker, it was Charlton who again rose to the occasion, scoring the match-winning goal and securing a well-deserved 6-5 triumph for DS Polo.