MADE OF WINNERS: MICT are 2017 Chairman’s Cup champions as Samsung settle for second place

Gideon Moi of Sudbury investments in Action Against Royal Salute during The Moi cup and Christmas polo tournament an Manyatta Polo club in Gilgil Nakuru county on December 18,2016.PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

Mombasa Island Cargo Terminal (MICT) are the winners of the 2017 Chairman’s Cup Polo tournament staged at the Nairobi Polo Club at the weekend.

MICT, made up of quartet including former Nairobi Polo Club captain Mike Du Toit (handicap 1.0), Eugene Yumbya(0.5) Karim Abbany(-1.0) and Oskar Du Toit(-1.5) edged title contenders Royal Salute and Samsung to lift the coveted title at the lush green Nairobi Polo Club pitch.

Samsung emerged runners-up; Royal Salute finished the contest in third place while fourth place was bagged by Chairman’s Select who were awarded a wooden spoon for their effort in the pitch.

The finals pitting MICT and Samsung was a closely contested affair even though the winners had a great advantage in the two opening chukka where they took a 3-1 lead before the break.

On resumption, Samsung nipped the third chukka through Vishal Somaia, who stealthily grabbed a hat-trick to give Samsung a 4-3 lead in the period.

The fourth chukka was a do-or-die affair as both sides exhibited a well-packed defence with superb striking force that made the encounter see-saw as the teams attempted to break through each other’s goal line.

As the battle unfolded, Samsung could not stand the heat, which saw them lose concentration in the middle of the chukka and this proved a costly affair as Abbany grabbed a life-time chance to slot in a powerful shot that levelled the scores 4-4.

MICT continued to pile pressure and their effort paid off when Du Toit was able to place the ball at the opponents back line to give his side a 5-4 before the whistle.

On their way to the finals, MICT edged stubborn Royal Salute 6-5 in an encounter in which Yumbya slotted in a hat-trick as Du Toit followed up with a brace. MICT was also awarded a penalty goal advantage that sealed the win.

Contributing greatly for Royal Salute in the losing effort were Jamie Hayward and Anthony Wahome, who notched a brace each as upcoming youngster Hiromi Nzomo added a last-minute goal in the closely contested encounter.

MICT were presented the winner’s trophy by Swedish Ambassador Johan Borgstam who said he had a lovely time at the game and at the newly refurbished club house.

In other results, the Chairman’s Select side lost all their games on a similar 4-2 score line to both Samsung and Royal Salute.

While receiving the trophy after the win Du Toit noted: “We are grateful for the fierce competition we had in the pitch for the two days running. It was tough but we are glad that our earlier preparations paid off as we were well ready for the show.”

At the same time, Jadini Nzomo was feted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.