Polo: Gross stars as Engel win Connaught Cup

Gideon Moi of Karate in action against Traxos during the Connaught cup at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil, Nakuru County on July 28, 2019. [Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

The sending of international handicap 4.5 Casmir Gross to the sinbin in the third chukka did not deter Engel from win the Connaught Cup Championships at Manyatta Polo Club, in Gilgil, last evening.

The side twice came from one goal down to defeat Cherokee 6-4 in the decider.

Gross’ send-off seemed to allow him adequate rest before he came back to wreck Cherokee in the final two chukkas.

The two-minute rest after he was reprimanded for a hard tackle on Handicap 2 Kimoi Moi in the 13-high goal match, did more damage to Cherokee with only three players on their ponies.

Handicap 13 Cherokee team of Jammie Muray (5), Craig Millar (3.5), Kimoi Moi (2) and Jules Camm (2.5) outplayed their opponents in the first three chukkas only to lose steam in the last two of the five-chukka match before Gross came back in the third chukka.

The final two goals by Gross in the fourth and fifth chukkas was all Engel needed to win the epic match and take the lead in the explosive match.

Engel team comprised off Gross (Casmir), Archie Voorspuy (3.5), Henry Limb (2.5) and Izzy Parsons (2.5).

Murray (two) and Kimoi (one) scored for Cherokee in the first three chukkas to take a 3-2 lead before Gross reduced the deficits with two consecutive goals in the second chukka.

Thereafter, he added another two, same as Voorspuy. Craig Millar had scored two earlier goals for Cherokee for the match to end 6-4 in favour of Engel.

The tournament saw several players improve their handicap with Gross shooting from handicap 5 to 6 and the impressive Jadini Nzomo from handicap -0.5 to 2, the biggest handicap improvement in the tournament.

Jadini named to the national team that will compete in the Zambian Under 18 International Championships in Lusaka, on August 23.

“I thank my dad and mum for keeping the horses clean and active. This has played a big role in my naming to the national team,” said Jadini.

In the six-goal playoffs of the Connaught Cup, Traxos team of Richard Stonewigg (3), Geoff Morley (1), Ben Stonewigg (1) and Tony Sugden defeated Karate 7-3 to finish third.

Karate team members included Harry Griffiths (1.5), Harry Stichbury (1), Gideon Moi (1) and Omwakwe Arunga (1).

In the Division B Championships of Fawcus Cup, Barclays won in the round robin series after seeing off Tack Rack 7-3.5 in the final to finish top with maximum nine points from three matches.