Hosts Kenya showed determination and skill to pip a determined Zambia 3-2 at the Nine-Goal International Polo Tournament at the Nairobi Polo Club over the weekend.
The tournament had three tiers of competition – the Gillies Turle trophy, which included Tusker Malt, Tanqueray, SBM Bank and SGA Security, the Fat Hippo trophy, which was contested by 24:7, Capital FM, Primarosa, and Live Eye, and the main event, which was the showdown between the Kenyan and Zambian men's polo teams.
In the Gillies Turle trophy final on Saturday, SBM Bank’s team, comprised of Archie Voorspuy (Handicap 3), Harry Millear (Handicap 3), Izzy Voorspuy (Handicap 3), and Izzy Stichbury (Handicap 1), put up a spirited fight but were ultimately beaten to the trophy by Tusker Malt, who won 6-5.
The six-goal-rated Casimir Gross showed why he is Kenya’s highest-rated player, scoring all six goals for Tusker Malt. Izzy and Archie Voorspuy scored a brace each, and Harry Millar rounded off the score with one goal.
The Fat Hippo trophy final was between Primarosa and 24:7, with Primarosa emerging victorious. Gregory Kimani scored a brace for Primarosa and Hiromi Nzomo struck once. On the scoresheet for 24:7 were Jamie Excell and Michelle Morgan.
The main event took place on Sunday, as Team Kenya faced Team Zambia. Team Kenya consisted of Jadini Nzomo (1), Ben Stonewigg (2), Joss Craig (2) and captain Archie Voorspuy (3). Their Zambian counterparts consisted of Harry Millar (3) Darryl Higgins (2), Jamie Henderson (3) and Niels Bojsen (1).
On the scoresheet for Kenya were Voorspuy and Nzomo, while Harry Millar scored all the goals for Zambia.