Polo: Kenya beat Zambia to win the Kenya International Championships

Jamie Murray (right) of Kenya battles with Kevin Coventry of Zambia during the International Polo tournament at Manyatta Polo in Gilgil, Nakuru County on July 25, 2021. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Kenya floored Zambia 8-7 to win Kenya International Polo Championships at Manyatta Polo Club, Gilgil on Sunday.

The win ensured Kenya stamped their authority in East and Central Africa with captain Casimir Gross emerging as the man of the match with a total score of five goals as Jammie Morray and Archie Voorspuy added the two goals to collect maximum points.

Zambia's man of the match was captain Kevin Coventry who played his heart out to emerge runners up after Sunday's match having defeated Kenya B team of Kimoi Moi, Phillip Arunga, Jose Craig and Henry Limb 14-8 on the first day.

The horse that did a marvellous job for the Zambians was 10-year-old Ballitto Girl owned by talented Kenyan youngster Jadini Nzomo, which was equally voted as the Best-Playing-Pony(BPP).

"This is a good horse that did every trick in the pitch for our team," said Shane Coventry who rode the horse (Ballitto Girl).

"It was a tough match but I must admit the Zambians is also a well coordinated and polished side. We made a few mistakes at the start but we re-collected ourselves to make a gallant comeback to overcome our opponents," Kenya captain Gross told The Standard Sports.

Zambia captain Kevin Coventry admitted they lost to a superior side but hoped to avenge their defeat when Kenya visit Zambia next season in Lusaka International Championships.

"It was a tough match but the narrow loss portrays we are also a fancied side but we are determined to avenge this defeat next season at Lusaka International Championships," Coventry said.

Jamie Murray (left) of Kenya battles with Shane Coventry of Zambia on July 25, 2021. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

During the six chukka match, the Zambians shocked the homeboys with two quick goals in the first chukka through Coventry(Kevin) and Ian Robinson before Kenya levelled through Gross in the same chukka.

Robinson put back Zambia into the lead in the first half of the second chukka before Kenya earned a 40-yard- undefended penalty slotted in by Gross for the 3-3 deadlock by the end of that chukka.

In the third chukka, Gross, Archie Voorspuy and Jammie Murray made it 6-3 but Robinson reduced the deficit with a 40 yard penalty for a 6-4 score in that chukka as Murray added another goal for 7-4  scoreline in the fourth chukka.

In the final two chukkas, Gross scored another goal for Kenya as Robinson and Coventry (Kevin) scored two quick goals in the sixth chukka to end their tour in style.

In the Subsidiary Championships, Sanilam team of Tiva Gross, Jadini Nzomo, Georgina Millar and Eva Kamau scooped the title from a 5-1 win over DT Dobie.

The DT Dobie side comprised of Jules Camm, Izzy Stichbury, Hiromi Nzomo and Lochie Stichbury.