Friday 12 February 2016

Ark, Dangote, Megamound bounceback ...Shoreline, Ashbert battle for Oba of Lagos Cup.



Lagos Ark Polo and Lagos Dangote Polo both secured precious wins in the Open Cup on Friday in the 2016 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament. There are also wins for Ibadan Megamound and Lagos Bonhams in the Dansa Cup.
Dangote survived a late fightback by HST, who were still ahead less than two minutes to play but they were undone by late goals from Bashir Dantata and and Mohammed Baba Dangote to clinch a 9-7 1/2 win.
Dantata got the game's opening goal in about 12 seconds but Kwame Is a responded soon for HST.
Dantata scored three goals in the second chukka to extend Dangote's lead to 4-3 1/2 as Isa and Ali Berjawi also forced themselves in the scorers' sheet.
Babangida Hassan took the ball from his own half to score the only goal in the third chukka and another goal by Dantata opened the fourth chukka as Dangote stretched their lead to 6-3 1/2. 
However,  Abdulrahman Mohammed scored three successive goals, the second of which was a diagonal shot from the side which rolled to the goal much to the delight of the crowd as HST took the lead again.
Berjawi then made it 7 1/2- 6 but Dangote saved the best for the last as Babangida and Baba Dangote's goals sandwiched Dantata's goal which followed an improvisation as he flicked the ball off his pony and set himself up before finishing with a low shot.
The first Open Cup encounter saw a great performance by Ark Polo rewarded with an impressive 8- 4 1/2 win over Lagos Tavia/Ironclad as Santiago Cernadas had his play largely complimented by Tayo and Kayode Awogboro, with the former scoring the fastest goal so far recorded in the tournament after just nine seconds.
Ark were 2- 1/2 goal up inse the first minute as Roman scored off a three touch running over 80 yards.
Tayo and Cernadas, a six-goal player, each scored a goal in the second chukka which highlights had the Awogboro siblings comically missed their shots seconds apart as they attempt to score.
Ark continued their domination in the third chukka which ended at 7- 1 1/2.  Cernadas and David Bernal-Davydenko both exchanged goals but few minutes later, Ayo Olashoju fell heavily off his pony to end his participation in the match. 
The Lagos Polo Club captain, who soon became conscious and stable was replaced by Kanyisola Owoeye to team up with Bowale Jolaosho,  Chino 'Santi' de Estrada and Bernal-Davydenko.
A few goals in the final chukka by Tavia/Ironclad made the scoreline a bit decent.
In the Dansa Cup, Megamound defeated Powerhorse 11-8 1/2 while a day of mixed fortune for Ibadan teams saw Ibadan Jericho lost a 4- 1/2 first chukka lead against Lagos Bonham's who triumphed 7 1/2- 6.
Four matches are scheduled for Saturday among which will see Lagos Shoreline and Lagos Ashbert battle for the Oba of Lagos Cup.
-Lukmon

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