Gifted Kimoi’s side secured a slot in finals, taking on Solovino’s head-on
Cruise Control win plate crown Mugs Mug Polo contest
Samurai that comprised Nzomo and his children failed to go past tough semi-final encounter.
Cruise Control, captained by Kimoi Moi, edged out Solovino 5-4 to lift the Plate trophy at the Mugs Mug Polo tournament that concluded at Nairobi Polo Club in Jamhuri on Sunday evening.
The team that comprised Kimoi (handicap 2), Kigen Moi (1), Will Millar (0) and Natasha Tismin (-1.5) started the tournament on the wrong footing as they went down 5-6.5 against One Millar Lite on Day One on Thursday.
The defeat relegated Cruise Control to plate category where they battled Raphael Nzomo led Samurai in the semis on Saturday.
Samurai that comprised Nzomo (2.5) and his children, Hiromi (0), Jadini (-1) and Amani (-1) failed to go past the tough semi-final encounter.
The gifted Kimoi’s side secured a slot in the finals where they took on Izzy Parsons’s Solovino head-on to register a hard-earned 5-4 win on Sunday afternoon.
Kimoi said they are looking forward to the Connaught Cup that will be held at the venue starting from Friday to Sunday.
“Kigen and Kimoi are among the expected 16 top players from around the country at the Connaught Cup this week.
“Preparations are underway and we will stage a successful event like the Mugs Mug tournament,” said Nzomo, who is Nairobi Polo Club Vice Chairman.
Meanwhile, the Mugs Mug tournament Main Cup was won by Stonefish & Urchins, who beat Hoof Hearted 6-4 in a pulsating final that left the audience at the edge of their seats.
Handicap three player, Richard Stonewigg, was the star of the game as he raked in five goals for the winners.
His daughter, Emily, who is handicap -1.5, slotted the other goal to seal the victory for the champions whose other members were Harry Griffiths (1) and Megan Griffiths (0.5).
Hoof Hearted that comprised Mbu Ngugi (2.5), Harry Stichbury (0.5), Izzy Stichbury (-0.5) and Lochie Stichbury (-1) started the match with a fraction advantage. Harry notched a hat-trick as Ngugi scored the other goal for Hoof Hearted.
“It was a well-balanced encounter. We managed to beat our opponents because we were swift with the ball. I’m glad that everyone did his part in the team,” said Stonewigg, who first won the cup with his father in 1974 before reclaiming it with his wife in 2013 and now with his daughter in 2018. "I thank our opponents for their good display on the field."
