37th N Hazari and Dr N Tombi State Polo Tournament X-Polo Club overcome spirited MPSC-B 6-5 to retain title

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 25 : X-Polo Club, Wangkhei reigned supreme yet again to extend their title streak as they edged MPSC-B 6-5 in the closely fought title clash of the 37th N Hazari and Dr N Tombi State Polo Tournament this afternoon.
As many as 34 teams participated in the tournament organised in the knock-out format by the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association at Mapal Kangjeibung (Imphal Pologround).
Both the teams, eyeing the top honour, went neck and neck and were locked at 3-3 till halfway mark before L Atangba converted a last ditch effort in the final chukker to make the difference for X-Polo Club to snatch game away from MPSC-B.
MPSC-B enjoyed a 2-1 lead in the opening chukker as T Pradeep and H Abung Khuman made the most of the chances and L Atangbam scored one for X-Polo Club in between the two goals.
Th Santosh however scored twice in the second chukker to put X-Polo Club on level terms with MPSC-B whose Salam Viking scored one goal.
Neither team found the target in the third chukker making the game more interesting before Th Jacob of  X-Polo Club and Salam Viking of MPSC-B scored two goals apiece in turn to keep their teams in contention.
The final chukker looked to end in a 5-5 draw as two sides kept exchanging runs till the very end but skipper L Atangba made the most of a chance moments before the closure of the chukker to seal the victory for X-Polo Club.
Winners X-Polo Club were feted with a cash prize of Rs 50,000 as runners up MPSC-B settled for a cash prize of Rs 40,000. Black Watch PC's Th Nongpoknganba was also adjudged "Young Polo Star" and feted with a cash reward of Rs 10,000.