Sandstorm rallied from behind to scrap a 6-4.5 win over Samsung as the 2017 Kenya International Polo tournament kicked off at Nairobi Polo Club yesterday.
Samsung started the see-saw duel with a fraction advantage and were put a head immediately by South Africa’s handicap three player Johan Du Preez, who hit a screamer in the first minute of the opening chukka.
With the help of Mike Dutoit, Chloe Spoerry and Phyllipa Marrian, the South African hard hitter put Sandstorm at bay with his show which saw the chukka end 1.5-0 to Samsung’s advantage.
Paid dividends
Sandstorm resumed the second chukka with vigour and their determination paid dividends in the first minute of play with a goal from Tanzanian and handicap one Tony Sugden.
However, the feat was short-lived as Preez scored another screamer to give Samsung a 2.5-1 lead at the end of the period.
Preez was even more lethal in the third chukka which he netted a brace as handicap three player George McCorkell replied in equal measure for Sandstorm. The chukka ended 4.5-3 in favour of Samsung.
The fourth chukka was a nightmare for Samsung after Preez was well contained by Sandstorm trio of Julian Camm (Tanzania), Sugden and Nick Millar giving the South African no room to unleash his shots.
Samsung unsteadiness gave McCorkell the chance to plunder the opponents. McCorkell finally ended the chukka with a hat-trick to give Sandstorm a final 6.4.5 victory on day one of the tournament. [Erick Ochieng]
