**Samurai's Mbu Ngugi (left) and Jamie Murray during the 6 goals International Tournament at Nairobi Polo Clubon Friday, Sept 14, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]**

MICT, Afrika Aviation sail into semis

Mombasa Island Cargo Terminal (MICT) led by handicap four player and South African international, Buster MacKenzie, edged out White Cap Lite 6.5-5 to sail into the semi finals of Kenya Polo International Six-Goal tournament at Nairobi Polo Club.

Afrika Aviation, captained by Gareth Evans, also from South Africa, beat Work In Progress 7-4 to set a semi-final date with MICT, whose patron is Gideon Moi.

Governors Camp humbled Ultimate Security 6-2.5 to set a semi-finals showpiece with White Cap Lager, who edged Samurai 6-5.5.

“It’s great to return to Kenya. I’m hoping to lead MICT into lifting the cup this weekend,” said MacKenzie, who captained MICT that started the match with a fraction advantage.

The battle between MICT and White Cap Lite was a see-saw affair. Hansi Bruins opened the scoresheet with a hatrick to give White Cap Lite a 3-0.5 lead in the initial chukka.

MICT revenged in the second chukka where they had a field day as MacKenzie scored a brace while Harry Stitchbury added a goal to give the side a 3.5-3 lead against White Cap Lite at the break.

It was relatively a tough affair for both sides on resumption for the third period. The players resorted to tightly mark each other and block the horse movements which resulted into several fouls.

White Cap Lite were lucky to rake in a goal at the final whistle through Julian Camm to stretch their lead to 4-3.5.

MICT came out guns blazing in the last chukka, halting the opponents from making skilful moves.

The strategy paid off when MacKenzie got opportunity to notch a double as Rowena Stitchbury added a goal to help MICT regain a 6-3.5 lead.

Camm once again pulled one back for White Cap Lite at the death but this was not enough as MICT ultimately won the encounter 6.5-5.

Afrika Aviation, sponsored by Nairobi Polo Club Vice Chairman Raphael Nzomo, were in pure as they hammered Work In Progress 7-4.

Handicap five player, Evans helped Aviation to control the pitch; both in defence and attacking.

Comprising Nick Millar (2), Aisha Gross (0.5) and Georgina Millar (0), Aviation managed to block Work In Progress that had Philou Salle (3) Kimoi Moi (2) Lorenzo Soriano (1) and Geoff Morley (1) from scoring.