LAHORE - Hissam Ali Hyder’s heroics helped United Snacks Polo lift the December Polo Cup after beating Honda Chenab by 7-6 in sudden death chukker of the thrilling final here at the Lahore Polo Club ground on Sunday.

Hissam played outstanding polo and slammed in superb six goals while the match-winning goal was pumped in by Azam Hayat Noon which steered United Snacks to a nail-biting win. From the losing side, in-form Bilal Haye fired fabulous five goals and Ahmed Ali Tiwana hit one but their efforts couldn’t bear fruit for Honda Chenab.

Bilal Haye started the match with his field goal to give Honda Chenab 1-0 lead, which was further strengthened by Ahmed Ali Tiwana, who struck field goal to give 2-0 lead. In the dying moment of the first chukker, Hissam also fired a field goal to reduce the gap to 2-1.

The second chukker was evenly poised as two goals each were scored by both the sides, as from United Snacks, Hissam scored a brace and Bilal Haye converted two from Honda Chenab, who were enjoying 4-3 lead when the second chukker came to an end. Bilal Haye fully dominated the third chukker and banged in a beautiful brace to stretch Honda Chenab’s lead to 6-3.

United Snacks stamped their authority in the fourth and decisive chukker as they thwarted three tremendous goals to square the things. Hissam was the player, who came from behind and pumped in three goals, to level the score at 6-6. Both the sides then struggled hard to score a match-winner but both failed to capitalize and the fourth chukker ended at 6-6 draw, which put the match into sudden death chukker.

Both the teams fought very well and kept on attacking each other’s goals but all their efforts went in vain. In the dying moments of the sudden death chukker, on the beautiful pass of Hissam, Azam Noon kept on tapping the ball and then smashed in a brilliant goal to land United Snacks to title triumph. Saqib Khan Khakwani and Raja Arslan Najeeb supervised the match as field umpires.

Former Pakistan Ambassador Khalid Ameer Khan graced the final as chief guest, who along with LPC executive committee members Omar Sadiq, gave away winning trophy to United Snack team and also distributed prizes and souvenirs among the top performers.