2nd DGAR Polo Championships Stage set for men and women’s finals

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 16 : The final line up of the 2nd DGAR Men and Women’s Polo Championships have been completed today following high octane semi-final matches at the historic Mapal Kangjeibung.
Black Watch Polo Club will square off against X-Polo Club in the men’s title clash on December 18 after Assam Rifles Polo Team take on Chingkheihunba Polo Club for the women’s crown on December 17.
In a thrilling men’s semi-final clash staged today, Black Watch PC edged out MPSC-B 6-5 courtesy of a golden goal from L Rohit in the additional chukker after the two sides remained locked at 5-5 till the end of four chukkers.
H Abung Khuman and T Pradeep scored two goals apiece and Viking Salam added one for MPSC in four chukkers while Th Nongpoknganba scored thrice and M Chaoba scored twice before L Rohit scored the winner in the closing minute of the additional chukker.
In the second semi-final match, X-Polo Club knocked out Chingkheihunba Polo Club by 9-6 goals courtesy of L Atangba (4 goals) and Th Jacob (3 goals) who shared 7 goals between theam.
P Ojit and Th Santosh were also on target for X-Polo Club as T Leishemba scored thrice, Th Kaoba added twice and O Rozer struck one for Chingkheihunba Polo Club.
X-Polo club enjoyed dominance almost throughout the game and led the first chukker 2-0, before taking a 6-3 in the second chukker, 7-5 in the third chukker before securing the 9-6 win by adding two more goals in the final chukker.
In the women’s first semi-final match, AR Polo Team rode on trebles from Oinam Veronica and H Pitu and two goals apiece from N Laxmi and M Enourembi to outlast Ibudhou Pakhangba Polo Club by 10-2 goals.
Mona Kamei scored both the goals for Ibudhou Pakhangba Polo Club in this one sided encounter.
Later in the entertaining second semi-final match, Chingkheihunba Polo Club edged out Linthoingambi Kangjei Lup by 5-4 goals.
Y Ranjita scored twice to earn Linthoingambi Kangjei Lup a 2-1 first chukker lead but Chingkheihunba PC, whose I Sangeeta scored the lone goal in the opening chukker, added one in the second chukker through Priya to draw level before RK Nillu, M Priya and M Bijenti scored a goal apiece in the third chukker to make it 5-2.
Kh Habe scored one in the opening minute of the final chukker to reduce the margin before Y Ranjita had her third in the 6th minute to further reduce the arrears. They however failed to draw level as time slipped fast and eventually Chingkheihunba PC set up the final date with Assam Rifles Polo Team.
The championships are being organised by the Assam Rifles under its Civic Action Programme in collaboration with the All Manipur Polo Association.