By Oscar Pilipili
Custard Chukkers edged Microsoft by a fraction of a goal to advance to the quarterfinals of the Mugs Mug tournament.
Chukkers play Dasani in one of the quarter-finals matches today.
The Chukkers team of Devin Shretta, Sukki Shretta, Quentin Savage and Henry Limb scored 6.5 goals against Microsoft’s 6 in a closely fought match at Nairobi Polo Club.
Chukkers started off with a handicap advantage of 1.5, but Microsoft team of Raphael Nzomo, Philip Arungah, Jack Olentoto and Johnson Asenga fought back to reduce the advantage by one goal and took a 4-3.5 lead in the third chukka.
Microsoft appeared headed for a crucial victory with a 6-5 lead in the fourth chukka, but with two minutes to go Henry Limb of Chukkers converted a 40 yard penalty which they effectively defended to the last minute.
Flexible Limb
Microsoft had a chance to regain the lead in the last minute when Asenga galloped clear towards the goal only for a flexible Limb to clear the ball off the line to ensure Chukkers sail through to the next round.
Nzomo said: "We were the stronger team in all aspects but in sports you win and lose some."
Microsoft scored through Asenga who hit four goals while Arungah and Olentoto pushed in one goal apiece.
Chukkers scorers were: Savage (three), Devin and Limb each got a goal.
Chukkers play Dasani team of Jamie Erskin, Mick Wilson Smith, Alan Delorie and Jamie Hayward in the quarterfinal today.
Red Devils team of Joss Craig Llewellyn Dyer, Topper Murray and Gordon Murray also qualified for the quarterfinals of the main tournament with a 6-4 win over Wilderness Waco’s.
Red Hot also qualified for the quarterfinal after they trounced hapless Bella Matata 8-0.5 in a one-sided match.
Cruise Control
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Despite starting with a fraction of a goal advantage, Matata failed to score a goal in this match that was dominated by Red Hot.
Red Hot converted through Charlie McLellan who pumped in six goals and Milo McConnell the scorer of two goals.
Handicap 2.5 Philippe Salle led Cruise Control team of Gideon and Kigen Moi and Vishal Somia to a morale boosting 4-3 win over Stray Dogs. To score for Cruise were Somia who recorded a hat trick while Salle contributed one goal.
The tournament is sponsored by Dasani and Microsoft and will end on Sunday. In the quarter-finals Dasani play Chukkers, Red Devils clash with Red Hot, Relics entertain Off Beat as Cruise Control take on Energy Source.