Royal Salute take on Samsung in Connaught Cup

Buoyed by their high handicap, Royal Salute are determined to go past Samsung to win the Connaught Cup this afternoon at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil.

Players will be fighting it out to don national team colours for the Under 18 International Championships in Lusaka, Zambia between August 18-20 and the South African Invitational Championships in Johannesburg between September 7-11.

The senior players will play a series of matches against the South African Development side.

Three teams in Kenya, hosts Zambia, and Zimbabwe have confirmed participation in the Under 18 Championships.

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“It will depend on how each team plays during the three days among low handicapped against high handicapped players on competitive matches when it comes to selection of the national teams,” said Richard Stonewigg, the tournament coordinator and Manyatta Polo Club captain.

Stonewigg is of the opinion that Samsung must be at their best to overcome stiff opposition from experienced Royal Salute players.

Royal Salute players, who include Craig Millar (handicap three), Raphael Nzomo, Izzy Parsons, and Phillip Arunga, who are all handicap two, are tipped to win the Connaught Cup, if their high handicap is anything to go by.

They will battle the Samsung team of Archie Voorspuy (handicap three), Mbu Ngugi (handicap 2.5), Tiva Gross (handicap two), and Chloe Spoerry (handicap one).

The two teams would battle it out in the first match this afternoon at 4pm ahead of two more return matches tomorrow and Sunday to decide the eventual winner.

After the weekend matches that incorporate three competitions in the Connaught Cup, the Belle Inn Cup, and the Junior Championships, Kenya Polo Association will name two teams.

In the Belle Inn Cup, six teams in Cooke, Dasani, MWL, Galaxy, M-Pesa, and Safaricom are also lined up for a number of matches in the round robin series.

In the Junior Championships that involve two teams, Fanta and Minute Maid will battle it out in a three-match round robin series.

The Fanta team members are Pete Griffiths (H1.5), Lorenzo Soriano (1.5), Lochie Stichbury (-1.5), and Oscar du Toit (-2) while The Minute Maid players are Richard Stonewigg (H3), Jack Oleloto (1.5), Amani Nzomo (-1.5), and Emily Stonewigg (-2).