Imphal, April 20: A last-minute goal by replaced player L. Thompson helped Thangmeiband Youth Polo Club ride to victory in the final of the 17th Governor Cup Polo Tournament, defeating Lamyanba Pakhang Polo Club by a 8-7 margin at Imphal Pologround today.

The clash of titans today threw up some exciting moments which attracted cheers from the crowd.

Thangmeiband started as favourites by crafty wielding of the mallet.

An alert S. Bimol Singh scored four goals in the first chukker.

Lamyanba tried their best to put up a brave fight. P. Ojit managed to score two goals to provide some exciting moments in the game.

In the second chukker again Thangmeiband’s Bimol scored his fifth goal. However Ojit reduced the margin by pushing in two more goals to bring the score to 5-4.

In the next chukker Thangmeiband added one more goal through Girimohan and an equally agile Ojit scored his fifth goal.

But the match reached its climax in the fourth chukker when Girimohan scored again and Lamyanba Pakhang drew level when K. Phillip and M. Doren scored two goals. Till then the two teams were tied to a 7-7 score.

As the match was inching towards its final moments, Thangmeiband replaced one of its player with a young rider, Thompson, who scored the all-decisive goal to bring victory for his team.

With the win, Thangmeiband Youth Polo Club bagged a cash award of Rs 8,000 along with the trophy. The chief guest was Maj. Gen. E.J. Kochekkan, general-officer-commanding of 57th Mountain Division.