Sandstorm rule Kenya Open ties: Champions defeat Samurai at Jamhuri grounds

INTERNATIONAL POLO TOURNAMENT Space and Style's Imogen Voorpuy (left) and Kimoi Moi of Royal Salute during the International Polo tournament at Nairobi Polo Club on Sept 15, 2017. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Handicap three George McCorkell bags MVP title.

For most polo enthusiasts, the two-week Kenya International Tournament offered a perfect opportunity to sample what goodies lie ahead.

Sandstorm beat Samurai 7-4.5 to lift the Kenya International Six-Goal Tournament that kicked off at the Nairobi Polo Club in Jamhuri over the weekend.

The championships involved players from hosts Kenya as well as South Africa and Tanzania.

Sandstorm also bagged the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) through handicap three player George McCorkell.

In his speech, McCorkell said it was double blessing for him to lift the tournament trophy and be named MVP in a contest that brought together some of the best polo players in Africa.

“The contest was tight; this shows how well prepared the teams were,” McCorkell said.

Raphael Nzomo’s horse, Baronesa, which was ridden by South African international and handicap four player Brad MacGibbon, won the Best Playing Pony.

“This pony was amazing. She has speed and agility, which is great for any international experience,” MacGibbon said.

National team captain Jamie Murray led Space and Style to a 7-5.5 victory against Samsung in the Plate final.

The tournament also had its fair share of trouble thanks to the slippery field following heavy rains that pounded the area on Saturday evening.

Sandstorms’ Tony Sugden paid a price for the field's condition when he slipped and hit one of the goal posts before falling off his horse in their match against Samurai.

Sugden was immediately attended to by the paramedics on standby and returned to action without much trouble.

“Falling down is part of the game. I am glad I was not seriously injured. I really wanted my team to win and this is why I did not allow the fall to cloud my mind.”

Cheza Millar of Samurai also fell off her horse in the fourth chukka but also did not sustain any serious injuries.

The tournament attracted three South Africans and five Tanzanians.