Hein claims six classic goals to steer team to beat rivals at CFC Stanbic polo

By OSCAR PILIPILI

The Samurai team led by handicap four Bryan Hein achieved its second victory after they beat Drum Magazine 10.5-6 in a thrilling match of CFC Stanbic Bank Kenya Polo tournament.

Hein scored six classic goals, Gordon Millar playing off handicap two contributed two while handicap 3.5 Craig Millar added one goal for the winners during the match at Nairobi Polo Club yesterday.

The other Samurai team member Raphael Nzomo played a key role in the team’s victory as his assists yielded some of the goals.

Buster McKenzie who at handicap six is the highest ranked player in the tournament scored three goals for Drum while Henry Limb (2), Phillou Salle (2) and Julian Camm contributed one goal apiece.

In the first match of the main event, Veuve Clicquot showed no mercy for title sponsors- CFC Stanbic- after they beat the bankers 7.5-2 in an exciting match.

Clicquot with total handicap of 12.5 started the match with advantage of a fraction of goal against Stanbic (13).

 

skill and power

It was a show of great polo skill and power as handicap five Selby Williamson scored four goals to inspire Clicquot to the thrilling victory.

Handicap two Mbu Ngugi contributed two goals for Clicquot while handicap three Richard Stonewigg added one goal for the winners.

Handicap three Jamie Murray scored two quick goals for Stanbic, all coming in the fifth chukka.

The match started on cracking pace and Stanbic had chance to score their first goal but handicap five John Eustace missed a 60-yard penalty.

Handicap 2.5 Philip Arungah would then give Clicqout their first goal when he picked the ball and pushed the ball between the posts in the fourth minute of the first chukka.

Handicap two Mbu Ngugi handed Clicquot their second goal after a great combination with handicap five Selby Williamson and Arungah.

Ngugi’s goal handed Clicquot 2-0 lead at the end of the second chukka.

 

third chukka

Williamson then converted a 40-yard penalty and guided a powerful hit through the posts from close to 60 yards to see Clicquot take 5.5-0 advantage at the end of third chukka.

Stanbic got their first goal of the match when Murray near under side hit went through the posts.

And on change of direction, Murray converted a 40-yard penalty to bring the scores to 6.5-2 but this was the furthest the bankers could go during the match.

The tournament that is played on round robin format is scheduled to end today.

In subsidiary category, AON team of handicap zero Ed Burbidge, Mega Griffifths (-1), Tom Stonewigg (1-5) and Robert Koitaba (-2) meets Longonot Gate quartet of Steward Lucy (-0.5), Rowena Stichbury (-0.5), Kaila Millar (-1) and Izzy Stichbury (-2) in the final match.

AON beat edged out Tack Rack 8.5-8 while Longonot beat Aberdare Aviation 7-2 to qualify for the final that is scheduled for today. – [email protected]