GODARA GUIDES ACHIEVERS TO 65 VICTORY OVER PANTHER
game with white pieces. Facing a must-win game in the second match, Harika played aggressively with white and pushed for a win. However, the Chinese player’s superior defence skills pushed the game into overtime.
Although Harika had the advantage of an extra pawn, Tan’s stubborn resistance provoked a few errors. The Indian had missed a checkmate move and mistakenly chose to exchange the queen piece.
Heading into the tie-break, there were two 25-minute rapid games, followed by two 10-minute rapid games and two blitz games.
Harika started well by registering a 17-move win in the first rapid game but Tan levelled the score in style by winning the second game in 73 moves. In the second 10-minute rapid game, Tan started well by surging ahead but Harika continued to fight as she levelled the game in style by winning in 79 moves.
Dhruvpal Godara scored in the final moments to guide Rajnigandha Achievers to the H.H Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia Gold Cup title in the Capital on Sunday.
Godara, who boasts of a handicap of 5, was the top scorer for his team with five goals as the Achievers defeated Jindal Panther 6-5 in the summit clash.
The offensive player scored twice in the closing moments of the fourth chukka to complete a sensational comeback for his side who were trailing 2-4 at halftime.
Simran Shergill, who scored four goals in the encounter, opened the account for Jindal Panther early in the first chukka.
The lead lasted only two minutes as Matthew Perry scored from a penalty to level the scores and at the end of the first chukka, the score was all square.
However, the game changed drastically as Shergill scored twice in the second chukka and Raghav Rao added another one to secure a 4-2 lead for the Panthers at the halfway mark.
The third chukka saw both teams scoring one goal apiece as Shergill and Godara added to their tally.
Going into the fourth chukka, it seemed that it would be an easy win for Jindal Panther, but it was No. 4 Dhruvpal Godara who scored thrice to clinch the title for the Rajnigandha Achievers.
Earlier in the day, Panasonic beat Godrej 5-2 in a one-sided encounter to claim the Land Rover Polo Trophy.
India national team player Abhimanyu Pathak and Akhil Sirohi scored two goals apiece while Sanjay Kapur scored once to complete a comprehensive victory for their side.
GODARA, WHO BOASTS OF A HANDICAP OF 5, WAS THE TOP SCORER FOR HIS TEAM WITH FIVE GOALS AS THE ACHIEVERS DEFEATED JINDAL PANTHER 65 IN THE SUMMIT CLASH