Polo: Sandstorm are 2017 Kenya International Six-Goal Tournament champions

INTERNATIONAL POLO TOURNAMENT From left- Sandstorm's Nick Millar, George McCorkell, Tony Sugden and Julian Camm winners of the International Polo Tournament at Nairobi Polo Club on Sept 17, 2017. [[Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Champions stun Samurai in final at Nairobi Polo Club.

Impressive Sandstorm are winners of this year’s Kenya International Six-Goal Tournament that ended yesterday at Nairobi Polo Club in Jamhuri.

Sandstorm thrashed Samurai 7-4.5 in a thrilling final to win the coveted match played at the vast open polo fields overlooking Ngong Hills.

Samurai, who started with a fraction advantage, dominated the first two minutes of the opening chukka but their shots went begging, including missed open chances by handicap zero Cheza Millar.

Samurai were punished a minute later with a goal from Tanzanian international  Julian Camm, who forced his way with a dribble on the left flank before slotting the match’s opening goal. Sandstorm took a 1-0.5 lead at the end of the chukka.

The opening minutes of the second chukka, which was full of drama, was again dominated by Samurai, who failed to convert a penalty awarded in the first minute.

Samurai’s determination paid off in the third minute when their captain and South African international Brad MacGibbon notched a flying screamer after a perfect solo dribble from the midfield.

The 1.5-1 lead by Samurai was cancelled a minute later by Camm, who converted a penalty as Sandstorm assumed leadership roles with a 2-1.5 lead.

The tail end of the period was dramatic and left audience with sadness after Sandstorms’ Tony Sugden hit one of the goal posts and fell off his horse.

Sugden, who was immediately attended to by paramedics on standby, returned for action moments later.

“Falling down is part of the game. I am glad I was not seriously injured. I badly wanted my team to win and that’s why I did not allow the hitch to cloud my mind as I had put the whole of my focus on the match.”

Things turned gloomy for Samurai on resumption for the third chukka and their confusion gifted Sandstorm with three goals in three minutes.

The first goal was notched by handicap three player George McCorkell, who completed a solo move to hit past the opponents’ goal line in the first minute.

MacGibbon scored an own goal for Sandstorm in the second minute after untold confusion in their defence.

The third goal was notched a minute later by McCorkell, who picked a loose ball in the midfield, dribbled before slotting it in with much ease to give Sandstorm a whooping 5-2.5 lead at the end of the period.

The fourth and final chukka was also dramatic after Cheza fell of her horse which did not result to any serious injuries.

Despite the anomaly, Cheza scored a quick goal for Samurai after making a solo move to make it 5-3.5.

MacGibbon too made a solo move to score in the third minute of play to make it 5-4.5.

Samurai again lost focus and were immediately punished at the end of the period with two quick goals from Nick Millar and Sugden who gave Sandstorm a deserved 7-4.5 victory to clinch the coveted cup.