Griffiths family scoops Davis Cup polo honours

By ERICK OCHIENG’

KENYA: The Griffiths family is the winner of the 2014 Davis Cup polo tournament that ended at the Nairobi Polo Club at the weekend.

The family, playing for Tack Rack team made up of handicap two and  team captain Pete Griffiths, his son Harry (0), daughter Megan (-0.5) and family friend Izzie Stichbury (-2) defied odds to win 4-3 against defiant and dreaded Samurai.

Pete opened scores in the first chukka and elevated his status to a brace in the second. But Samurai captain Raphael Nzomo was able to reply in the subsequent period with a classical brace.

Determined Nzomo, only viable goal scorer for opponents, made it a hat-trick with another surprising rasping shot, notched from the narrow left side of goal line. The shot left spectators awed.

“It is the best shot I have ever made for a goal in my polo life,”Nzomo told FeverPitch after the game.

However, Pete made quick judgment to contain lethal Nzomo-man handling his movements from making it to the ball.

The ‘tethering’ gave Griffiths family undue advantage as marauding Nzomo was well contained. This gave   Harry and Megan a chance to slot their names on the score sheet — with a goal each — that relegated Samurai to the runners up position.

While savouring the win the head of the family said, “This is a perfect New Year gift for my family, I am grateful and happy. It’s lovely to play as a family and it’s joyful to win as a unit. Its special, its precious. The win is an extra bonus for us this New Year.”

Pete said team work and unity made his family to understand the game better and be in flow with it.

 “Practising every weekend with my family made us to understand each other’s weaknesses and strength,” said Pete, a former rugby player whose children also play hockey and rugby in their various schools.

Among the high profile tournaments Pete is focusing on this season include the Kenya International Open championship.

Nzomo said he is looking forward to make it a family affair in Davis Cup from 2016 with his two daughters and two sons who are upcoming in the game.

However, second handicap Nzomo was glad that his Samurai team that also included Michael Camm (0), Karim Abbany (-1) and Louis du Toit (-1.5) engaged team work to play and make it to the final. “We are looking forward to recapture the international season,” said  Nzomo.

Pepsi were able to lift the Plate category after beating Castle Lite 5-3 with the help of Devin Shretta who scored a brace and Sammy Kiarie with a hatrick. Martin Waiganjo scored a hat-trick for Castle Lite.

The Spoon final was shared after a 4-4 tie between Peroni and Mountain Dew.

The latter scored through Rishi Ahluwalia (brace) while Jonathan Stitchbury and Amber Ahluwalia added a goal each. Mike du Toit scored a hat-trick and Akash Amrit added one for Peroni.

Nairobi Polo Club hosts the Maria Bencivenga’s Memorial Trophy this weekend.                                 ––[email protected]