Lagos Int'l Polo: Kano beat Lagos teams to sweep titles

Kano Ashbert Titans yesterday emerged winners of the Majekodunmi Cup beating Lagos Ironclad Shorelines 12- 11 as the 2013 Lagos Polo International Tournament ends in an exhilarating way at the Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi .

The win completes a memorable tournament for teams in the northern state with Kano RTC beating Lagos Caverton in the Low Cup final of the event which has MTN and GTBank as major sponsors.

Toto Gerardo Collardin was the star man of the day helping Titans to hold on to their one-goal handicap advantage heading to the sixth and final chukka.

With last year’s winners and finalists Linetrale Delaney and Fifth Chukka fallen by the way side, Shorelines scored the first open goal with Ahmadu Umar connecting Julio Novillo-Estrada’s pass but Toto was on hand to restore his side’s lead to end the first chukka.

A plus-seven handicapper, Toto again broke free from the middle of the field and set himself up with a with a60-yard pass before smashing a shot from the goal mouth to widen their lead 3-1. Albert Esiri was the next player to shine for Titans scoring in succession to give his side a 5-1 lead. Thereafter, Eduado Menendez also scored two quick goals but Toto managed to connect the ball with his mallet after Joaquin Pitaluga’s shot stopped just some few yards in the goal area. There was still more time for Eduado to score twice as the chukka ended 6-5.

Scores at the end of the fourth chukka stood at 9-7 as Toto scored three more while Eduado and Julio also hit target. The handicap goal was the difference between t sides by the end of the fifth chukka with Eduardo and Toto scoring once each to keep the tie close heading to the last chukka of which a solitary goal by Toto clinching the biggest Polo trophy in Nigeria.

Linetrale Delaney clinch Independence Cup

..as HST win Governor's Cup

A dominant second and third chukka performance helped Linetrale Delaney recovered a three-goal deficit to beat Lintex Anadariya 10 - 8 in the Lagos International polo Tournament which ends today. The win ensured that they win the Independence Cup and they are also on course for the Majekodunmi Cup which they are the defending champions.

Anadariya, who also had Usman and Bashir Dantata, had caused the biggest upset by beating Fifth Chukker on Wednesday and they showed their determination to go all the way by leading 4-1 after the opening two chukkas.

 Five straight goals –two in the third chukka and another three in the fourth chukka - swung the game in favour of Linetrale who led 6-4 by the close of the fourth chukka. Raul Lapalcette amended for his missed shot to close draw Anadariya close and almost immediately, he broke away to score a brilliant individual goal to level proceedings at 6-6.

Anadariya regained the lead as Lapalcette converted a 40-yard penalty for 7-6 but Mustapha Fasinro was rewarded for his great play by scoring a low shot to tie the match 7-7 heading to the sixth and last chukka.

Marcelo Pasqual and Laplacette both failed to convert their penalties from 60 and 40 yard respectively but Damien Duncan puts away his effort under pressure from Santiago Cernadas. Marcelo then scored back-to-back to give Linetrale a 10-7 lead before Cernadas scored to make the scoreline look respectable.

The day’s first match saw HST beat Bell Oil & Gas 5-3 to win the Lagos Governor’s Cup.

Sunday’s matches will see Lagos Caverton and Kano HST battle in the final of the Lagos Low Cup while the Majekodunmi Cup will round off the polo fiesta which has MTN and GTBank as its major sponsors.

Governor, Independence Cups at stake

.. as Lagos Shorelines qualify for Majekodunmi Cup final

Ironclad shorelines booked a place in Sunday’s final of the Majekodunmi Cup following a 7-5 win over Kano Ashbert Titans as the 2013 Lagos Polo International tournament reaches its penultimate day of action today with three titles at stake.

Argentines Eduardo Menedes and Julio Novillo-Estrada spearheaded a great fifth and sixth chukkas to land the three points at stake. They now have an unassailable six points from their games having claimed the scalp of Delaney Linetrale in their first match.

Today’s proceedings will get underway with Ibadan Challenge confronting Kano Susplan in the Low Cup with nothing but pride at stake as the places for tomorrow’s final have been occupied by Lagos Caverton and Kano RTC.  

But their would be so much to play for in all the other matches of the day as winning teams will not only be reveling in the joy of victory but savour titles.

Lagos HST and Lagos Bell Oil & Gas will compete for the Lagos Governor’s Cup in a match which falls under the Low Cup. Also, Linetrale Delaney will battle Lintex Anadariya for the Independence Cup while Kano Titans Ashbert will tango with Fifth Chukker for the Italian Ambassador’s Cup.

In an exciting match played on Friday, Caverton edged Goodfellows 5.5 -5 while RTC saved their best for the last by rallying to beat Ibadan Challenge 9-6 in one of Friday’s matches.

Goodfellows could not believe their luck as they conceded a goal in the dying moments which dealt a big blow to their title dream. The team lost the final of the Dansa Cup to Tavia Trojan but got a sweet revenge when they beat the same team in the qualifier.

Ibadan Challenge were also undone by a fourth and final chukka rally by HST who began their campaign with a win over Ibadan Jericho.

Challenge led the first two chukkas with scores at 3-2 and 5-3 but they were pegged back at 6-6 heading to the last chukka.

Mustapha Sheriff’s goal was sandwiched by Murtala Aliyu’s goals to clinch the tie for the north-based team.

Shoreline silence Linetrale Delaney

... as Goodfellows whitewash HST

Kola Kareem puts up a virtuoso display to help Ironclad Shoreline  record a 11 – 8 upset win over defending champions Linetrale Delaney in the Majekodunnmi Cup as the Lagos Polo International Tournament heads to its homestretch

Marcelo Pasqual scored in the ding minutes of the fifth chukka to hand Delaney a 8-7 lead but a late rally by the Shoreline was complete by two quick goals by Kareem in the sixth and final chukka. The atmosphere that greeted the result was similar to the one on Wednesday when Anadariya beat Fifth Chukker, last year's finalists in the same cup. 

Earlier, Lagos Goodfellows continued their match for glory by beating HST 10^½ – 3 in the Low Cup as Former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance Wale Edun played a circuit breaker role for the Goodfellows by curtailing the moves of the HST parading the Mdehli brothers Mohammed and Kareem.

 Thomas Usher scored two 40-yards penalty to give Goodfellows a 2-^½  lead but Ali Bajarwhi’s 60 yard shot rolled in slowly to the goal to give HST a slender  a^½ - goal lead. Usher scored another penalty from 30 yards just before the as the lively opening chukka came to an end.

Wale Edu’s son Tobi then put his name on the scorers’ sheet  by scrambling in a shot soon after, it was Usher again who scored a high goal shot from 30 yards to give the Goodfellows a 5- 2^½ lead.

Usher also scored another goal in the early part of the third chukka before Tobi finished off a solo move by tapping in for 7- 2^½ - lead.

Abdulmimuni Musa also scored in succession in the third chukka before Usher scored his side’s tenth goal with tobi riding off Kareem Mdehli.

In the day’s first match, Kano H-Hago edged Ibadan Jericho 8-7 to notch their second straight win. Their low-margin win could however count against them for a place in Sunday’s final following Kano RTC’s 8-3^½ - win over Jericho. The defeat ended Jericho’s slim hope of progressing to the final

Another entertaining match yesterday saw Caverton whitewash Bell Oil & Gas 11^½ -3 in the League 1 of the Low Cup.

Caverton, who are billed to confront Goodfellows in a vital match today seem to be unmerited of their 1.5 handicap advantage as they outscored their opponents in all the four chukkas.

Other matches slated for today will see Ibadan Challenge battle RTC while in the Majekodunmi Cup, Ironclad Shoreline will slug it out with Kano Titans-Ahbert.

Kano RTC and Kano H. HAGO take lead as Lagos Polo Int'l Tourney stage II Begins.

..Anadariya shock Fifth Chukker.

The Dantata brothers,  Bashir and Usman were impressive as they led Lagos Lintex Anadariya recorded a shock 12-11 win over Kaduna-based Fifth Chukka to brighten their chance in of winning the Majekodunmi Cup as the second week of the Lagos Polo International Tournament resumed yesterday at the Polo Club, Ikoyi.

In another match, Kano RTC brushed aside Ibadan Jericho 8- 3^½ to enhance their title charge for the Low Cup.

RTC made their intention known from the throw-in as Yusuf Garba broke away but his shot rolled wide off the goal but it Jericho team that scored first when Saidu Umar’s 70-yard shot rolled in gently to give the south team a 2^½ - 0 lead having started the match on a 1.5 goal handicap advantage.

Argentine Manuel Karanza, then produced a high-class performance for RTC as he converted a 30yrs penalty following a block shot to make the score 2^½– 1. There was still time for Yusuf Garba to tap in from the goal-mouth melee for the northern side who trailed by ^½ goal heading to the second chukka.

Two goals by Aliyu and another from Karanza in the third chukka put RTC in an unassailable 7-3 lead and the South American, who is RTC’s captain was on hand to wrap a convincing victory up for RTC after his ‘text message’ pass to Aliyu was intercepted by Oladele but he was on hand to finish off the move with a perfect hit which rolled horizontally to the goal for his side’s eighth goal.

Also,  Kano H-Hago bagged a 4-2 ^½win over Kano Susplan with Abba Dantata’s majestic finish summing up a great victory for the H-Hago who started play on a ^½ goal disadvantage.

Today’s fixtures will see Jericho battle H-Hago just as Lagos HST keep a date with Tavia Trojan. Also, Lagos Caveton will square up with Bell Oil and Gas in the Low Cup while Lagos Ironclad Shorelines will confront Delaney Linetrale in the prestigious Majekodunmi Cup.

Kano Ibah beat Lagos Ericsson for Dansa Cup title

Addo Ismail scored three of his side’s goals as Kano Ibah upstage Lagos Ericsson 8-5 to win the Dansa Cup at the Lagos Polo International Tournament.

Defending champions Ericsson rallied from a goal deficit to lead 2-1 after Damien Duncan replied twice following Murtala Aliyu’s opening goal from a 40-yard penalty.

Duncan breaks away from the roll-in of the second chukka but could not connect his shot at the vital area thus allowing Aliyu to clear. Tade Oyinlola made a last-ditch effort to clear Ismail’s goal-bound shot on goal but it was given as it has already crossed the line as Ibah drew level at 2-2.

Aliyu followed up with a missed 60 yard penalty and when a similar situation was presented to Ericsson, Jamilu Umar had his shot deflected off the goal by Ismail. Aliyu and Ismail then scored in quick succession to give Ibah a 4-2 lead heading into the third chukka.

Halifa Ibrahim converted a spot hit to give Kano a healthy 5-2 lead and the gap between the sides was widened  as Addi Ibrahim taps in from a Nura Shamaki’s shot for 6-2 at the end of the third chukka. Abdulmumuni Musa and Duncan scored within a minute midway into the last chukka but Halifa profited from a missed clearance by Umar to score while the same player’s goal moments later proved to be an icing of the cake. Umar had before the costly error scored his side’s fifth goal.

In the day’s first match, Lagos Polo Club President Habeeb Fasinro led Edozie Onwuli, Bowale Jolaosho and Elias Kodahy to beat Team B TJ Saro, Hassan Fayaad Yemo Alakija and Ed Higginbotham 5-3 to win the Veteran’s Cup.

Tavia Trojan win Oba of Lagos Cup…as Ericsson set up Dansa Cup final with Kano Dala

Santiago Cernades inspired Lagos Tavia Trojan to win the Oba of Lagos Cup by beating Kano Titans 10^½ - 8 yesterday at the Lagos Polo International Tournament.

Troajan which parades Ayo Olashoju, Mario Gomes and Kunle Tinubu made good advantage of their 1^½ handicap goal to retain the title they also won last year.

In another match played yesterday, Mohammed Mdheli scored all of his side’s goals but Jamilu Umar stole the show as Lagos Ericsson beat Lagos HST 6-4 to set up a final clash with Kano Ibah for the Dansa Cup as the first set of titles are concluded today in the Lagos Polo International Tournament.

Umar scored twice in the opening chukka converting a 10-yard penalty and another 20 yards tap-in but Mdheli reduced the tally by half with a low shot in a crowded goal area for 2-1. However, Abdulmumuni Musa scored a brilliant individual goal that saw his shot rolled into the goal in a move he started from about 100 yards.

 

Umar thereafter took over the match scoring three successive individual goals the last of which drew a resounding applause from the enthusiastic polo faithful that thronged the Ribadu Road Polo club.

Mdheli then scored two quick goals just before the close of the third chukka to reignite the hope of a great comeback by the HST who were trailing 6-3 heading into the final chukka.

 

Although, Mdheli managed to score another goal after Tade Oyinlola missed a clearance shot, it was too little too late as the match came to an end seconds later.

In a match that preceded the tie, Kano Ibah continued their impressive form by whitewashing Ibadan Mapo by 7-1^½ in a match which saw Halifa Ibrahim displayed great polo skills to spearhead a one-sided game.

Ibah had defeated Ibadan Eleyele in their first match and outclassed the Oyo State-based team who stated the match on a ^½ goal handicap advantage.

The wins by Ericsson and Dala rendered the day’s first match between Lagos T-Raiders and Ironclad academic with the Hustlers winning the hard-fought encounter 7-6 ^½ 

^-Nadya.

Lagos Int'l Polo: Trojan, Titans battle for Oba of Lagos Cup

Lagos Tavia Trojan and Kano Titans will today battle for the Oba of Lagos Cup in the Lagos Polo International Tournament which heads to its first set of finals this weekend.

Yesterday, Henry Edozie made a frantic last-gasp goal-line clearance to help Ibadan Eleyele record an enthralling 7-6 ^½  win over Kano Dala to keep his team on course for a place in Sunday’s final in the Dansa Cup.

Dala started the match on an 1^1/2 handicap advantage but they soon find themselves trailing after the first chukka with two quick goals by Edozie and Elias Kordahy.

Man of the Match Edozie wriggled his way out of challenge by Kabiru Bello to widen their advantage at the start of the second chukka but Nura Shamaki tapped in a backhand and scored another one under high pressure from Mustapha Abu to take his side into the lead at 3-3^1/2. There was still tinme for Hassan Fayad to sroce as Kano restore their lead to 4^1/2 - 3.

Edozie and Usman Mohammed scored within minutes in the third chukka but at the end of the chukka scores stood at 6^1/2-5 advantage Dala with Edozie scoring the last goal of the chukka to set up a nail-biting final chukka.

Kordahy missed a 60yard kick moments after Edozie had scored for Eleyele to make scores at 6-6^1/2.  He was not done yet as he finished off a brilliant move after he was put through by Elias.

Aftyer losing their first match to Ibadan Mapo, Kano Dala know they have slim chance to progress and they put all their energy to find what would have proved to be a winning goal in the dying minute of the match but Edozie will not be denied his glory as he made a frantic clearance off the line just before the match was bought to and end. They will now wait for the outcome of Saturday’s clash between Lagos T-Raiders and Ironclad Hustlers to know their fate regarding Sunday's final of the Dansa Cup.