Horseman Cup offers key test for polo players before Nairobi showdown

Abuja Polo's Mohammed Buhari (left) and Nairobi Polo's Mbu Ngugi in past action. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

With two international assignments still awaiting Kenya in the next two months, seasoned and young players featured in the Horseman Cup ahead of another senior tournament at Nairobi Polo Club on July 25.

Kenya is set to play Zambia in August at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil with the second one pitting the homeboys against a composite team of foreign players at Nairobi Polo club in September.

And the Horseman Cup was the opening event for all the selection trials with three more coming over and spread across Manyatta and Nairobi Polo clubs.

As an upcoming player who would wish to don national team colours one day, Tom Manson was voted the Most Valuable Player of the Horseman Cup as Veuve Cliquot won the overall title.

The handicap -0.5 Manson featured for First Capital, who lost in the finals.

Nairobi Polo Club chairman Simon Muchene welcomed all players for the forthcoming events.

“Every player is welcome to take part in our activities,” he said.

First Capital were beaten 4-2.5 by Veuve Cliquot for the latter to run away with the coveted title.

A hat-trick by international Archie Voorspuy, in addition to a goal by Indian import Ranshay Purohit, was all Veuve Cliquot needed to win the title, thanks to assists by Izzy Stichbury and Archie Camm.

International Jose Craig, who has been in top form, and Vishal Somaia scored consolation goals for First Capital.

First Capital, whose handicap was less compared to the winning team, started the match at an advantage of half fraction of a goal.

Earlier, Kenya Nut Black had defeated Afrisend 5-3 as Samurai secured a 4-2 win over Tusker Malt in other matches of the senior cup.

On their part, Social House secured a 14-10 total goals aggregate over Pure Travel to romp home with the Lord Cranworth Cup.

In the second division of the event - The Lord Cranworth Cup, Social House secured a 6-3 win over Pure Natural for a total of 14-10 over three days to win the title in the three-day competition round robin matches.

Fast-rising Eva Kamau scored four, with Sharon Alela and Lekishon Butu managing one each on the final day to win the title.

Alice Owambo, Jamie Stichbury and Natasha Tisminisesky replied for Pure Travel.