Polo: Amistra Xtra humble Axial to win Fawcus Cup crown

Craig Millar (centre) and Henry Limb (right) of Touchdown battles out with Harry Stichburry (in red cap) of Amistra Xtra during the Fawcus Cup at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil on July 27, 2019. [Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

Amistra Xtra won the Fawcus Cup crown at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil yesterday.

They achieved the feat from a 5.5-3 victory over handicap 9.5 Axial team of Jammie Murray (5), Jules Camm (2.5), Gideon Moi (1) and Geoff Morley (1) in a 9-goal match.

Amistra Xtra, boasting handicap nine, scored through Omwakwe Arunga (1), Izzy Parsons (2.5), Casimir Gross (4.5) who struck a brace and Harry Stichbury (1) while Murray struck a brace while Camm scored a goal for Axial team. Raphael Nzomo officiated the match. 

Stichbury attributed their victory to teamwork in the four chukkas. "We played as a team and it worked out well. We are happy for the victory," said Stichbury.

Action shifts to Connaught Cup Championships this morning. 

In the play-offs of the Fawcus Cup,Touchdown and Actara settled for a 6-6 draw. Actara took the lead in the first chukka with two goals from Ben Stonewigg before Craig Millar pulled one back for Touchdown but they later leveled terms through Tony Sugden in the second chukka.

Griffiths and Achie Voorspuy scored two quick goals for Actara to extend their lead to 4-3 and later Griffiths added another one. Henry Limb had earlier scored one.

In the third chukka, Limb and Kimoi Moi scored two goals for Touchdown to take the lead 5-4 before Griffiths leveled the scores in the same chukka in what pushed the final chukka into a dogfight.

In the fourth chukka, Millar scored for Touchdown as Stonewigg replied for Actara for 6-6 scoreline.

In the Division B Championships, Barclays looked ready to bag the title when they recorded their second consecutive win after dismissing Kenagro 4-1. They scored two goals through Megan Griffiths and a goal from Louis Roumeguere while Louis Du Toit gave Kenagro their consolation goal.

In another match of the round robin tournament, Tack Rack pulled a 5.5-5 victory over Mambo Wholesalers. In the Division C Championships, Morendat team of Harry Stichbury, Sabrina Robley, Simon Muchene and Eva Kamau staged good shows after losing their two matches.

They lost 4.5-3 to Offbeat before 5.5-1 by Mayers. In another match of the same tournament, Mayers picked a 3.5-3 victory over Offbeat team of  Josh Sergon, Mina Stiernblad, Osvar Du Toit and Lochie Stichbury.