From the kick-off the LUMS boys came at Islamabad fearlessly and with intensity and conviction. They put the seasoned Jinns back line under serious pressure and soon penetrated deep into the opposition half. The LUMS forwards also managed to wrestle a significant amount of possession from the much heavier and well-drilled Islamabad pack, and the university team secured a penalty 35 meters from the try-line in front of the posts early in the first half.

 The penalty kick fell short and then a few passes failed to find hands in the LUMS back-line, resulting in a series of missed golden opportunities that could have seen LUMS take a three to 10 point lead early on.

 Nonetheless, as the Jinns pack continued to pummel the inside corridor, LUMS coach Miguel's constant cries of "bodyguard, bodyguard," inspired a dedicated LUMS defense into meeting the crashing bulky Jinns head-on with crunching tackles.

 Thirty five minutes into the match and the scoreboard registered 0-0, the game deadlocked midfield. The crowd, which included Pakistan Rugby Union officials, stood stunned. Question marks started to take shape on the faces of all witnesses to the spectacle. Could this be happening? Could LUMS possibly pull off the most stunning upset in the history of Pakistan rugby?

 It was not to be. The Islamabad Jinns remain the most disciplined and well-drilled squad, and one of the two best teams in the country. They refused to allow the LUMS boys to get across their try-line, and attacked relentlessly. Kashif Khawaja, one of the established stars of the national team, continued to take the agile and well-commanded Jinns back-line wide, and near the end of the first half he burst through a hole on the right flank 30 meters from the LUMS try-line, cut back and side-stepped five defenders to post a very hard-earned first score.

 The level and intensity of the match didn't drop in the second half. Islamabad secured more possession, and continued to attack relentlessly but LUMS held up well throughout. However, again as a result of excellent ball movement in the backline, two more national team players, Farid Niazi and Andre, ran in another two tries to seal the encounter.

 After what constituted a stunning semi-final, the stage is now set for another epic climax on Sunday. Aside from the above encounters, the first two days of the tournament have seen resilient and spirited matches from teams such as the Bhawalnagar Desert Camels and the Pakistan Rugby Association team, a squad for the first time composed of players from all across Punjab's rural hinterland.

 These two teams will contest Sunday's bowl final. Going by LUMS' unforgettable encounter with the Jinns, Bahria University will then face a significant uphill task against LUMS in the plate final. The cup will then be decided in a repeat of last year's final between Lahore and Islamabad.

 The cup final kicks off at 6pm, and LUMS coach Miguel—who is the driving force behind this remarkable tournament featuring the premier club, university and district-based sides in the country—has a message for the citizens of Lahore: "Come out and support your two city sides, LRFC and LUMS. Both are defending champions, we lifted the plate last year. No one has forgotten last year's cup final, one of the best matches ever seen in Pakistan. This promises to be just as spectacular."