BY CONSOLATA MAKOKHA
Samsung Galaxy Nairobi team handed their fans something to celebrate about after they clinched the Duke of Connaught Cup at Nairobi Polo Club.
Playing under the top tier Division “A”, Nairobi beat Samsung Galaxy Manyatta 13-10 to lift the coveted trophy played over the weekend.
Shrewd Jamie Murray, playing off handicap 4.5, led his team to the great victory by pushing in nine of the goals during the event played over two days.
He scored six goals spread in all the four chukkas in the first match played on Saturday and then added a total of three goals in yesterday’s match for a total of nine in the event sponsored by Samsung.
Other players who turned out for the champions are handicap 2.5 Phillip Arungah, Vishal Somaia (2) and Philou Salle (2).
Murray top scored for Samsung Galaxy Nairobi pulling in nine goals.
“Our opponents were worthy opponents. We couldn’t have realised this victory without the effort and participation of both teams. Nairobi were dedicated and played quality game, this being the first tournament of the new season,” said the astute Murray after receiving the glittering trophy.
Despite captain Murray being the tournament’s top scorer, the Most Valuable Player award went to Manyatta captain and handicap 2.5 Gordy Millar, who was given the Boots and All Trophy.
Manyatta team comprised of Mbu Ngugi, Henry Limb and Pete Griffiths all of whom are handicap 2 together with Miller. Samsung Galaxy North Kenya emerged victorious in Division ‘B’ Lord Cranworth Trophy after beating Samsung Galaxy Nairobi 4-3.5 in the final. The third place position went to Peroni who beat Samsung Galaxy Manyatta 6-5.
Llewellyn Dyer of North Kenya was crowned the MVP of B Division. In Division C, Red Bull trophy honours went to were Samsung Galaxy who beat Samurai 6.5-5. Other teams who played in this division were Stanlib who beat Mountain Dew 3-1 before falling to Pepsi 2-1. Pepsi then went on to lose against Mountain Dew 1-2, Samsung Galaxy beat Keringet 5-2 and Samurai humbled Miller 5-0.
The two teams, SG Nairobi and SG Manyatta have confirmed participation in this weekend’s tournament which will be sponsored by Samsung once again.
While encouraging more teams to sign up for the coming tournament, Samsung’s Key Account Management senior manager, Simon Kariithi said: “We are glad to be associated with polo; this week’s event will be bigger and better. We are looking forward to support the game in the next five years and beyond.”
Courtesy of the-star.co.ke