Ghantoot Polo Team beat Dubai Polo team 9-6 in HH Presidents Cup

Ghantoot Polo Team came back from Friday’s loss to current President’s Cup leaders ADCB to beat Dubai Polo Team 9-6 in the seventh game of the season-ending tournament.

Every player on the Ghantoot side got their name on the scoresheet yesterday with Ahmed Al Nueimi and Sebastian Petrachi claiming one each and Ghantoot’s polo captain, Nasser al Shamsi scoring two.

Argentine professional, Gonzalo Azumendi continued his fine vein of form to claim another five-goal haul after notching the same amount in his team’s loss to ADCB two days ago.

On the losing side, Dubai Polo Team’s Nicolas Petrachi scored three goals, talented young Emirati player, Habtoor Al Habtoor got two while Gaston Devrient claimed one.

Ghantoot, who are the defending champions in this annual tournament will now face Al Basti on Thursday.

Azumendi said: “We won all our chukkers so we were always one step ahead. Nasser did a great job marking the Dubai guys and Sebastian kept their number four in his sights at all times.

“We managed to control the game so we are very pleased.”

The tournament, which is being held at Abu Dhabi’s Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, has been running since March 20. It is held under the patronage of Ghantoot’s chairman, Sheikh Falah bin Zayed al Nahyan and the grand final will take place on Friday next week.

ADCB have already secured their place in the final but the other slot remains open at this stage in the tournament.

Ghantoot’s Al Shamsi said his team performed very well.

“We are the defending champions and the hosts in this tournament and it is the most important event of our season and so we know it is very important that we play to the best of our ability,” he said. “Today was a very gratifying effort. We gelled well as a team and I think the communication between our players is getting better each match.

“On a personal level I am very happy with my performance but we must reserve a special mention for Gonzalo who has been exceptional all week.

“Now we look forward to our final game. We will play our hearts out and hope it is good enough to get us into the final on Friday.”

Ghantoot’s opponents on Friday, Al Basti will be tough to beat. They kept a clean sheet against Tom Ford last night, while managing to put five goals past their opponent’s defenses at the same time.

Tom Ford are no slouches. They beat Dubai Polo Team 3-6 just two days ago and won their opening game.

The scoreboard showed that Al Basti’s goals came from Abdullah bin Desmal and Juan Manuel Roman who both got one, while David Bernal notched three.

HH President of the UAE Polo Cup games 3 and 4

A dominating performance from ADCB Polo Team in the HH President of the UAE Polo Cup has set them up as the team to beat after they put eight goals by opponents, Tom Ford.

 

The season-closing tournament, the most important event in Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club’s calendar, is being played out at the Royal Abu Dhabi venue all this week, with the grand final being held on April 1.

 

The Argentine professional, Hugo Barabucci, a seven-goal handicapper, banged home an impressive eight goals for ADCB in the four-chukker match, which finished 8-4.

 

 

Not to be outdone, his talented Emirati teammate, Nasser al Dhari scored a hattrick, while fellow Argentine, Matias Colombres, added one goal to the final score.

 

Their opposition, Tom Ford Polo Team, scored a respectable four goals in total and during the first two chukkers the teams were evenly matched. But once ADCB drew ahead at the half-way point Tom Ford found them too hard to live with.

 

Goals were scored for Tom Ford Polo Team by Ramiro Dagna and Oscar Colombres, the brother of opposition player, Matias.

 

“It was a great game, we played so well today,” said al Dhari. “Hugo was a class act as always and I was very happy with my performance.”

 

“Tom Ford played well also but today we were just stronger and a little more aggressive. Like us, Tom Ford won their opening game so we knew that we had to beat them.”

 

ADCB will clash with defending champions, Ghantoot on Friday who have a point to prove after losing their opening match. A win would seal ADCB’s place in the final.

 

“If we win on Friday we will be clear for the final so I’m very much looking forward to that,” said Dhari. “We intend to play pretty much as we played today. We need to keep the pressure on and not take anything for granted.”

 

Tom Ford Polo Team’s patron, Faris al Yahbouni was philosophical in defeat and said that his team may be down but they were not out.

 

“Even though I hate losing it's a real honor playing in this tournament,” he said. “We now have to put that defeat behind us and focus on our next game. Our team played very well and we will gather momentum for Friday’s match.”

 

In the second match of the day, Dubai Polo Team beat Al Basti Polo Team by just one goal in a match that finished up 7-6.

 

A young Dubai team, featuring Emirati rising stars, Rashid bin Drai and Habtoor al Habtoor, put in a true team effort with all four players adding to the scoreboard.

 

Bin Drai and al Habtoor both got one goal, Nicolas Petrachi scored three, including the winning goal and Gaston Devrient notched twice.

 

“It was an amazing game today, open and extremely fast with a lot of running,” said the Argentine.

“Our boys Rashid and Habtoor played a great game and really make the difference for us.

 

“Al Basti played well it was a very close game that could have gone both ways, but thanks to  Rashid stopping a 50 yard penalty that would have seen the scores tied, we managed to hang on until the end.”

Tom Ford Polo Team Makes Winning Start in HH President of the UAE Polo Cup

Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club: The first round of the HH President of the UAE Polo Cup got underway yesterday evening (Sunday) with defending champions Ghantoot going down 4-3 to new additions, Tom Ford.

 

The tournament is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club and sees five teams compete, including an outfit from Dubai Polo Team.

 

 

Ghantoot, last year’s winners now have an uphill battle to make the final and are next scheduled to play ADCB on Friday.

 

Gonzalo Azumendi for Ghantoot and Oscar Colombres for Tom Ford both scored in the opening chukker. Tom Ford continued their momentum with Tarek Fatheldin getting the ball between the posts in the next quarter to give Tom Ford a one-goal lead.

 

Ahmed al Nueimi clawed one back in the third chukker but Colombres replied immediately with another goal and although Azumendi was again on the scoresheet in the fourth and final chukker, Colombres notched again for a hat trick. The final score was 4-3 to Tom Ford.

Biker polo is a rough and tumble sport

The horses have two wheels and the surface is gray concrete rather than a verdant field, but polo has come to downtown Chattanooga.
Every Monday afternoon, an organized game of bike polo (also known as bicycle polo or cycle polo) takes place on one end of First Tennessee Pavilion.
Orange cones mark the goals, and plastic garbage cans, concrete blocks and other containers are put down temporarily to block the end of the court.
“It’s a team sport on a bike,” said participant Anderson Bailey, 29. “That’s an exciting thing. It’s all fun.”
It’s been compared to street hockey and has been called hardcourt bike polo or urban bike polo.
Unofficial organizer Jon Wareham, 28, said Outdoor Chattanooga may have gotten together a grass bike polo game in the past, but he is not aware of any other hardcourt games.
He said Seattle residents claim to have started the game in the United States, but online sources variously trace it internationally to Ireland and India.
The hardcourt game is “ideally three on three,” according to participant Andrew Gage, 26, owner of Velo Coffee Roasters.
The winner is the first team to score three goals between the orange cones (or be ahead) after 10 minutes. A mallet similar to that in traditional polo — but often cobbled together — is used, and the ball resembles one used in street hockey. A helmet is mandatory.
Rules vary from city to city in a hardcourt game, according to online sources, but a universal one used in the First Tennessee Pavilion contest requires players who touch the ground with their foot to cycle to a designated point on the court and tap a specific item with their mallet before they return to play.
Bailey said players probably should be 18 years or older and be comfortable on a bike. The bike, he said, should be “one you don’t care about — not a high-end road bike.”
Participants say learning the game requires more than basic bike-riding skills.
“It takes a different skills set — riding with one hand, maneuvering,” said Wareham, a graduate student at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“It’s totally awkward, unorthodox, steering and braking with one hand,” said Shane Darwent, 27, a photographer and sculptor.
“It’s challenging and difficult,” said Bailey, a potter. “We all fall down. At least, most of us do.”
It’s not a game for the thin-skinned, either.
“It’s kind of like playing hockey,” said Wareham, whose legs bare the marks of collisions. “There’s an opportunity to crash. Anything you do [against another player] can come back to get you.”
That said, according to Bailey, “we’re not very aggressive.”
The sport offers a good cardio-vascular workout, though, according to players.
“We were whupped after two hours last week,” said Darwent.

WORLD POLO RANKINGS

1.Mac Donough Pablo
2.Pieres Facundo
3.Cambiaso Adolfo
4.Pieres Gonzalo Jnr
5.Nero Juan Martin
6.Ullia Hilario
7.Sterling David Jnr
8.Monteverde Lucas
9.Novillo Asrada Jnr
10.Castalgnola Bartolome

Lagenda Hookahs storm to Bukit Kiara Merdeka League victory

The Lagenda Hookahs stormed to victory over La Pampa in the Bukit Kiara Merdeka League Tournament, leading from start to finish of an exciting final held on Saturday 19th March.  Slow starters in their first three matches, Lagenda Hookahs came out flying in the final with two quick goals in the first chukka by eventual MVP Julian Sagarna.  They led a stunned La Pampa 4 1/2 - 1 at half time and cruised home 6 1/2 - 4 winners.

It was a great result for the "legendary hookahs" as La Pampa was the heavy favourite to win the match.  La Pampa's two pros Abdul Haddi and Hayudin failed to fire.  Julian and Peter controlled the match with overlapping runs and better ball possession.  Peter's horse power was widely praised and allowed him to keep possession and run down the clock in the crucial last two chukkas.

La Pampa could not gain meaningful possession of the ball, and despite a bried comeback with three goals in the third chukka, it was not to be as the Hookahs ran down the clock after Peter scored a 60 yarder in the final chukka.

Peter Abisheganaden had a full cpmpliment of the penalties, scoring with a 30 yarder, a 40 and a 60 in the game.   He was named Most Valuable Amateur Player of the tournament.

Julian scored three field goals in all and took the honour of Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Dato' David Morais played the first two chukkas before being substituted by Yeo Kuo Lee.    David's horse "First" won the Mitavite sponsored prize for Best Playing Pony.  The 8 year old West Aiustralian Mare was trained and played by Peter Abisheganaden in the tournament.

Yeo Kuo Lee, who has just shifted most of his horses to Tanamera, brought his inimitable style to the tournament.

Jennifer Too had a sterling match at No 1, and an excellent tournament, holding her own and scoring some crucial goals for the Lagenda Hookahs.

La Pampa's patron J C Flilipi had an excellent final, playing very well for a rookie in his first final.  Mohd Zekri Ibrahim was dangerous as ever in attack but was never given much service from midfield.

Lagenda Hookahs played the tournament intending to raise funds and awareness of their adopted charity, Nur Salam.  They proudly wore the Nur Salam logo on their shirts, which were also on sale for chairty through the tournament.  They also challenged their opponents to bets, asking their opponents to make donations to Nur Salam if the Hookahs were ale to beat them.  Some very graciously said they would donate whether they won or lost.

A batch of Nur Salam kids came to watch their second match, last Sunday, which they won 6 - 3 against Danga Bay 2.  They were treated to an afternoon tea and given Lagenda Hookahs shirts.  They were also visited by two local celebrities, Farid Kamil and Ako Mustapha, who came by specially to meet the kids.

"The kids were the inspiration for our win in this tournament," said team captain Peter Abisheganaden.  "We wanted to win it for them. "

"In the last chukka of the final I had a 60 yarder and I knew if I scored, it would break La Pampa's belief.  I told myself I had to do it for the kids.  They were my inspiration every time we needed to come back and in every crucial situation.  I'm glad we didn't let them down."

 

Mercedes-AMG Returns as Title Sponsor of Miami Beach Polo World Cup

Location: On South Beach, between 20th and 22nd Streets, behind the Setai Hotel 

2012 CLS63 AMG Makes South Beach Debut for Grand Polo Event

MONTVALE, N.J., March 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA announces that its Mercedes-AMG performance brand is returning for a second season as title sponsor of the Miami Beach Polo World Cup from April 21st to April 24th, 2011, and plans to showcase the all-new 2012 CLS63 AMG to Southern Florida car enthusiasts.

The AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup, the official branded event property, is the world's largest polo tournament to take place on a beach and this year's event benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami and the National Foundation for Missing and Exploited Children.  In its seventh consecutive season, the separate men's and women's polo events take place on Miami Beach between 20th and 22nd streets behind The Setai Hotel.

In addition to supporting the AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup, Mercedes-AMG is the proud sponsor of the AMG men's and women's polo teams that feature notable and top players from around the world including John Walsh, the well-known presenter of America's Most Wanted and spokesman for the National Foundation for Missing and Exploited Children, as well as number one female player, Sunny Hale.  

Alongside the well-trained thoroughbred horses at the AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup, Mercedes-AMG is displaying a stable of its own high performance vehicles including the SLS AMG supersports car and the all-new 2012 CLS63 AMG equipped with the newly developed AMG V8 biturbo engine, featuring a peak output of up to 550 hp and 590 lb-ft. of torque.  Guests can see this newest Mercedes-AMG 4-door coupe in-person at the tournament before it reaches Mercedes-Benz dealerships in early June.

"The game of Polo shares a natural affinity with AMG, both rich in heritage and prestige, requiring skill, power and performance to succeed," said Greg Clark, Manager Exclusive Vehicles, Mercedes-Benz USA.  "The AMG brand has been deeply involved with polo tournaments from around the world and we are thrilled to continue this tradition in the U.S. with the title sponsorship of the AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup."

Just as the polo pony is carefully selected and trained for quick bursts of speed, stamina, agility and maneuverability, AMG engines are built on the overall principle of "one man, one engine," to deliver the epitome of peak performance and craftsmanship.  Every single AMG engine is handcrafted from start to finish by a single Master Engine Builder at Mercedes-AMG GmbH in Affalterbach, Germany.

Attendees who wish to experience the power and performance for themselves can test drive AMG vehicles at the AMG Driving Academy where top professional instructors teach the fundamentals of performance driving at one of three world-class locations. Each program progresses to a set of high-speed exercises that puts each participant through their paces on the entirety of each of these racetracks.  A description of the 2011 AMG Academy program including locations, levels and preliminary schedules can be found at http://www.amgacademy.com/.

About Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG is the high-performance subsidiary of the Mercedes-Benz Car Group and is headquartered in Affalterbach, Germany. AMG engineers lend the benefit of more than 40 years racing experience to the development of new Mercedes-AMG vehicles.

Transmissions, brakes, aerodynamics, exhaust systems and, most importantly, the hand-crafted engine built and signed by one of only fifty AMG Master Mechanics reflect AMG's holistic approach to performance.

By blending AMG genes with Mercedes DNA, AMG has delivered thrilling performance and exclusive refinement to discerning customers since the brand's introduction to the U.S. in 1995. Since then, U.S. sales of AMG vehicles have grown to account for as much as 40% of worldwide Mercedes-AMG sales.

While all Mercedes-Benz authorized dealers offer AMG products, 26 dealerships across the U.S. have attained 'AMG Performance Center' status where more personalized expert service for these high-performance vehicles is offered. http://www.mercedes-amg.com/  

ABOUT Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2007, Mercedes-Benz USA became the title sponsor of IMG's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami.  Mercedes-Benz is also the title sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. For more than 40 years, MBUSA has taken pride in its commitment to the customer by providing superior quality luxury vehicles coupled with outstanding customer support. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at http://www.mbusa.com/ and http://www.maybachusa.com/.

Goose Creek ebounds to beat Little Owl 11-10

Four first half goals from Chris Nevins had Little Owl ahead 7-5 at the end of the first half, but a concerted effort by Goose Creek turned the tide in the final three chukkers delivering a hard-fought 11-10 score.

“We just fell asleep,” said Little Owl 6-goaler Jason Crowder.  “Everything was going great in the first four chukker, and then . . .”, trailed off.

Nevins converted a penalty goal to open the match, but Goose Creek responded with three straight goals with Chilean 7-goaler Jose Donoso converting two 60-yard penalty shots for goals and Mason Wroe adding a goal from the field.    Crowder ended the chukker with his first goal of the game and the first chukker ended with Goose Creek on top of a 3-2 score.

Crowder scored a penalty goal in the second and Nevins scored from the field for Little Owl.  Goose Creek got a single goal from Martin Zegers, and the score was all even at 4-4.

Two more goals from Nevins in the third and Crowder’s third goal of the game gave Little Owl seven goals.  Zegers converted a 40-yard penalty shot for a goal, but Goose Creek found themselves on the wrong end of a 7-5 halftime score.

Joe Wayne Barry and J. P. Uihlein stretched the Little Owl lead to four goals, 9-5, in the second half before Goose Creek could respond.  Zegers and Wroe each connected from the field for goals, and the fourth chukker ended with Little Owl holding a 9-7 lead.

The fifth chukker belonged to Goose Creek.  A smothering defense was complimented by a three goal barrage that tied and then surpassed the Little Owl total.  A 40-yard penalty conversion from Zegers and a pair of goals from the field from Donoso had Goose Creek holding on to a narrow 10-9 score as the chukker ended.

With both teams struggling for control of the ball in the final chukker, A Little Owl player was fouled.  Nevins made short work of converting a 40-yard penalty shot, and the score was tied, 10-10.

With time running out, Zegers would score his fifth goal of the match and secure the 11-10 hotly-contested game for Goose Creek.

Martin Zegers led the Goose Creek attack with five goals.  Jose Donoso scored four times and Mason Wroe added two goals for the win.

Nevins scored five times for Little Owl, getting two goals from the field and three goals on penalty shots.  Jason Crowder accounted for three goals and J. P. Uihlein and Joe Wayne Barry scored single goals in a losing effort.

Prince postpones Dubai polo trip amid Arab turmoil

Britain's Prince Harry has postponed a planned polo visit to Dubai on March 19 amid escalating unrest in the Arab world.

Harry's office at St. James's Palace in London said Friday the prince felt it would be "insensitive for him to participate in a sporting event at a time when there are matters of greater priority to focus on in the region."

St. James's Palace said the Sentebale Polo Cup that has been scheduled to coincide with the royal's visit has been canceled.

The wave of protests sweeping the Arab world has already led to the ouster of longtime leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, and an uprising in Libya. The March 13 Bahrain Grand Prix was also canceled.

- AP

HELP JAPAN.

2011 Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami

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A massive 8.9/9.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific Ocean nearby Northeastern Japan at around 2:46pm on March 11 (JST) causing damage with blackouts, fire and tsunami. On this page we are providing the information regarding the disaster and damage with realtime updates.

The large earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for countries all around the Pacific ocean.

Local Japan Emergency dials:
171 + 1 + line phone number to leave a message
171 + 2 + line phone number to listen to the message

Phone numbers to consult about missing persons: (Japanese language)
Iwate: 0120-801-471
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Fukushima: 0120-510-186 / 090-8424-4207 / 090-8424-4208

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polo videos.

Abu Dhabi fly off with Gold Cup

Abu Dhabi Polo lifted the 2nd Threadneedle Dubai Gold Cup held at the Dubai Polo and Equestrain Club on Friday.

In a fast-paced and closely fought final, Abu Dhabi put on a strong display to edge past Dubai Falcons 9-7.

Argentinian Facundo Sola made the bulk of the scoring with eight goals for the winners.

Abu Dhabi made a positive start taking a strong 3-1 lead in the first chukka.

The final between Abu Dhabi Polo and Dubai Falcons in progress

While Sola accounted for all three, Salvador Ulloa scored the first one for the Dubai team as they took an early lead.

The Falcons bounced back in the second chukka to level with their opponents at 4-4 after Ulloa scored twice more and Mario Gomez struck once. Oscar Colombres’ goal was the only one Abu Dhabi scored during that period.

In the third chukka, Sola struck twice and Ulloa and Gomez struck once each to ensure their teams were locked at 6-6.

With the match heading towards a close finish, Sola put on a brilliant performance as he led his team to an unbelievable victory scoring three goals to seal the title.

Sola was adjudged the Player of the Tournament while his horse Hormiga was declared the Best Horse.

In the playoff for third place, Ghantoot beat DCC Sumaya 8-7.

President of Al Habtoor Group Sultan Al Habtoor was present at the awards ceremony.

Edox | Extra time launches official time partnership with Lagos Polo Club

L-R: Miss Emma Ojiederie,Mr.Ayo Olashoju(Tournament Manager),Mr.Adedolapo Akinrele(Club's President)

                                                                                                

Edox | Extra time formerly presented the edox Limited Edition Wall Clocks to the President of the Lagos Polo Club,Mr.Dolapo Akinrele and the Tournament Manager,Mr.Ayo Olashoju During the MTN | Lagos Annual International tournament.

This event was also used for the formal presentation of Lagos Polo Limited Edition Edox watches especially designed for the club by Edox.

Miss Emma Ojiederie did the presentation and stated that this is the beginning of a long term mutually beneficial relationship between the Lagos Polo Club and Extra Time.

MTN LAGOS INTERNATIONAL POLO TOURNEY ENDS.

The Ikoyi residents ,especially residents close to the Ikoyi polo club will have free traffic flow as from today as the MTN Lagos polo international tournament bids polo enthusiasts farewell yesterday.

The two weeks long Tournament caused unusual traffic along Ikoyi Mobile filling station down to the barracks towards the club.But for the logistics put in place by the Club tournament organizing committee,that allowed coordinated flow,it would have been a sorry state.

The good side of the traffic is that, it shows the continued followership of the game by spectators.From the first day of the tournament to the end, was a funfair to behold in the minds of club members,invited guests,players and spectators.Apart from the spectacular playing skills of the players which thrilled spectators during the day,there are also entertainment in diversity put in place during the evening time.

“this is polo at its best”proclaimed by the Assistant Manager of Marketingmixideas, Mr.Bamji Ajibade in my one on one interview with him.He also stressed the need for the club to extend the VIP lounge to accommodate more VIP in the near future. 

Lagos Tavia Trojan wins Open cup | Linetrale Trafigura wins Majek cup.

The MTN lagos International tournament came to an end yesterday as LAGOS TAVIA TROJAN CLINCHED THE OPEN CUP  by spanking KANO TITANS 10 goals to 8 ½ and in the other category,LINETRALE TRAFIGURAL walloped KADUNNA FIFTH CHUKKA  with an outstanding win of 13 goals to 10 thereby clinching the prestigious MAJEKODUNMI CUP.

Bode Makanjuola led CAVERTON came as runner up to LAGOS HGL SHORELINE in the Governor’s cup category.Lagos Caverton bows to the wip of Lagos HGL Shoreline on Friday 4^th March with a gallant lost of 10 ½  goals to 12.

Adamu Attah led Fifth Chukka

The Lagos State Governor represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for sports,Mr.Adeniji Adele  presented the Governor’s trophy to the Linetrale Trafigural team.

Celtic Manor in Wales to host polo tournament.

Celtic Manor in Wales to host

Hotel and golf resort to host Polo in the Manor tournament in July

Golf will make way for polo this summer when Celtic Manor Resort in Wales hosts its first ever polo tournament.

The official launch for the event will take place at the hotel tomorrow, Friday 4 March, while the event itself will be held on Saturday 2 July.

Polo at the Manor will take place on a specially created polo field on the former Ryder Cup 2010 practice ground, adjacent to the Twenty Ten Course.

The tournament is part of the resort's drive to expand its events portfolio, capitalising on the success of last year's Ryder Cup, which saw Europe beat America.

MTN Lagos Polo’2011:

Ibadan Origin, Agad Out of Open Cup Reckoning
As the jostling for honours in the ongoing MTN International Polo Tournament in
Lagos gets into higher gears, contenders have been separated from the pretenders
as the campaign for the glittering Lagos Open Cup hits its climax this weekend.
Two Lagos Open Cup pre tournament favorites who failed to rise to the challenge
in this year’s MTN polo showdown  Ibadan Origins and struggling Lagos Agad watch
helplessly as their campaign ran into the roughs after losing lost their two
stream games which ultimately ended their tall ambition.
The Kenneth Edet led Origins parading Seidu Umar, Jubrin Ali, lost their opening
game 7-8 to Lagos Goodfellows, much to the chagrin of the fans who had stormed
the Ribadu Road venue of the MTN fiesta in their number expecting victory.
They did not fare better in their second game against top firing HGL/Shoreline
who are bracing for a titanic clash against Caverton in the Governor’s Cup final on Saturday.
The Shoreline quartet of Obafemi Otudeko, Kola Karim, Ahmadu Umar and their
professional, defeated their Ibadan opponents 8-51/2 in an impressive
performance that saw the visiting Origin trailing throughout the five chukkers
Open Cup confrontation.
Lagos Agad who had earlier lost to Ayo Olashoju’s Tavia/Trojan 10-51/2 in their
opening game decided Wednesday, were left stranded by the top running Kano
Titans who handed them a 10-2 defeat, much the disappointment of their teeming
Lagos fans who were praying for a change of fortune after the Tavia/Trojan
nightmare.
Parading Audu Dantata, Usman Dantata, Mumuni Musa and Adamu Yaro, the Agad boys
who enjoy some decent record in the medium- goal competition, would have to wait
till next year to shore up their bruised echo.
With Origins and Agad completely out of the way, the Open Cup race of the Lagos
International Polo’2011 is left wide open for teams in Stream A, Tavia/ Trojan,
HGL/Shoreline, Kano Titans and Goodfellows who after winning their opening game,
are trapped in the Stream of Death as only one team can win the stream and pick
the final ticket.
Bode Makanjuola’s Caverton who will clash with Goodfellows in their opening game
Friday, may well be the surprise side in the Open Cup warfare, but they would
not find it easy with Wale Edun’s Goodfellows who are yet to lose any
competitive game since last November.

 The much awaited Majekodunmi Cup opener between defending champions, Fifth
Chukkers and last year’s runners-up, Ashbert/MRS did not deliver the anticipated
spark as the Lagosians who started with three goals handicap advantage did not
give the Kaduna guys  the space to explode.
 The game that was characterized by plenty of stoppages, ended in the fourth
chukker with scores standing at 7-4 in favour of the home boys who play their
second game today (Friday) against local rivals, Linetrale/Trafigura.
 The remaining two chukkers of the Ashbert/MRS game against Fifth Chukker  is
expected to be concluded today (Friday) before the Linetrale/Trafigura clash.