Royal salute for Samsung as Limb bags MVP award at Kenya Polo International championship

POLO Baringo Senator Gideon Moi hands over the Fiesta Kipsigis Trophy to Henry Limb who was voted MVP by international players at the just concluded Samsung sponsored Kenya International Polo Tournament at the Nairobi Polo Club. [PHOTO: COURTESY]

Samsung emerged champions of the 2016 Kenya International Polo tournament held at the Nairobi Polo Club at the weekend.

The team from the title sponsors emerged victorious with 5.5-5 goals against Royal Salute in the main cup of the tournament final.

Handicap two player Henry Limb of Samsung emerged Most Valuable Player (MVP) and was awarded the Fiesta Kipsigis Trophy by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, who is also part of the sponsors of the tournament that attracted players from as far as Argentina and South Africa.

Samsung's victory in the finals was largely inspired by Limb and South African import Buster Mackenzie.

Handicap five Mackenzie, who captained the winning squad, gave assists as Samsung led Royal Salute 3.5-2 in the opening chukka.

Limb and Philippe Salle scored a goal each for Samsung, who began the game with a 1.5 goal advantage while Royal Salute’s goals were scored by Tiva Gross and Davy Evans. Things slowed down for the victors in the second chukka and only Mbugua Ngugi was able to breach the opponents’ back line to take their tally to 4.5-4.

Jammie Murray and Evans added a goal each for Royal Salute to close the gap before the breather.

On resumption, both teams had a goalless episode in the third chukka, which was cutthroat as they played a very defensive game.

The fourth chukka was a tad intense as both sides looked for victory. Evans capitalised on a melee in Samsung’s danger zone to score a perfect shot that gave them a 5-4.5 lead.

Royal Salute then held on to the lead, destroying their opponent’s balls as they fervently marked time.

But their antics were soon thwarted by veteran polo star Mackenzie, who broke the yoke with a good backhand shot before he sped to notch a priceless goal that granted Samsung a 4.5-5 victory at the death.

At the same time, Space & Style won the subsidiary cup after edging Tack Rack 4-3 in the category final.

Nairobi Polo Club captain Raphael Nzomo, who featured for Space & Style Samurai consisting of handicap five Duncan Watson from South Africa, handicap three Craig Millar and handicap two Archie Voorpuy, said the tournament lived up to its billing owing to the sponsors and the calibre of international players.

“It was a great weekend of polo and I am hopeful that everyone enjoyed playing and watching. We look forward to seeing many more spectators with the new renovation of the club house,” Nzomo said.

Nzomo and Phillip Arunga (chairman), who were elected to office this year, have seen many changes at NPC including the multi-million shilling renovation of the club and grounds to match international standards.