Samurai make it two on the trot: Defending champions complete back-to-back wins in Soldiers Salute Cup

MARIA BENCIVENGA CUP Samurai's Jadini Nzomo, 12, during Maria Bencivenga Cup at Nairobi Polo Club on Jan 14, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Jadini scores a hat-trick as he leads squad to victory.

Samurai successfully defended the third edition of the Soldiers Salute Polo Cup at Nairobi Polo Club in Jamhuri yesterday.

They defeated Mombasa Island Cargo Terminal (MICT) 6-5 in a nervy final to retain the trophy.

This was the second diadem Samurai were winning in one week. Samurai edged Royal Salute 5-4 to reclaim the Maria Bencivenga Cup last weekend.

The final pitting the Raphael Nzomo-led Samurai against Phillip Arunga’s MICT was too close to call. Both sides put their offensive and defensive skills to test in the scorching sun.

Samurai started the contest with a goal advantage. They were put ahead in the first minute of the opening chukka by Nzomo’s son, Jadini, who scored a penalty to give his side a 2-0 lead.

MICT replied in the fourth minute through the hard-hitting Anthony Wahome as he reduced the gap to 2-1 following a melee at Samurai goal-mouth.

Jadini scored a second penalty one minute later to extend Samurai’s lead to 3-1.

MICT were awarded a penalty shot in the 10th minute, but Natasha Tisminiesky, who took part in an international polo match in Argentina, failed to hit the target.

MICT were punished two minutes later when Jadini slotted in a third penalty to bag a hattrick before the chukka ended 4-1.

The second chukka proved a tough call for both sides. Nzomo saved his side with impressive backhand shots even though they were well contained by their opponents.

Samurai conceded a penalty in the middle of the period, which Arungah scored with little trouble as they narrowed Samurai’s lead to 4-2.

Nzomo’s daughter, Hiromi, scored on resumption for the third quarter following a melee at MICT backyard to stretch Samurai’s lead to 5-2.