Polo: National association names two teams for SA tourney

From left- Archie Voorspuy, Phillon Salle and Richard Stone after winning the Fawcus and Rift Valley Cups tournament at the Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil, Nakuru on June 04, 2017. Photo/Suleiman Mbatiah/Standard

National association names two teams for tournaments

Highly-rated handicap three Archie Voorspuy and handicap 2.5 Mbu Ngugi have been selected to lead the national Senior Polo team for a series of international friendly matches in Johannesburg, South Africa, from September 7-11.

Another member of the team, which will be captained by James Murray, is handicap two Tiva Gross.

The senior team is scheduled to play a series of matches against a South African Development side as a way of exposing local players to Africa’s polished polo nations.

Voorspuy and Ngugi were members of the Samsung team that lifted The Connaught Cup after coming from seven goals down to force a 19-19 draw against Royal Salute at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil over the weekend.

Tournament director Richard Stonewigg said The Connaught and Belle Inn Cups championships also provided them with an opportunity to pick a junior team for the Under-18 Invitation Championships in Lusaka, Zambia, from August 18-20.

“We have also picked a junior side for a three-nation tournament in Zambia,” Stonewigg told The Standard Sports.

The three-nation tournament is meant to spur growth among junior players besides increasing their confidence.

The Zambian Championships has hosts Kenya and Zimbabwe. Team A is made up of Harry Stichbury, Harry Griffiths, Omakwe Arunga and Megan Griffiths, while Team B has Tom Stonewigg, Cheza Millar, Taru Mwamto and Izzy Stichbury.

[Ben Ahenda]