Royal Pahang Polo Club cruised to a 10- 8½ victory over Ranhill in the 2^nd semi-final of the BRDB Cup at the Royal Selangor Polo Club yesterday.  Royal Pahang shot out to a 4 to ½ lead before Ranhill finally got a goal in the 2^nd chukkas. 

Sariman Sharir was outstanding in midfield for Royal Pahang, showing he is coming back to his best after a year off polo fighting cancer. 

H.R.H. Tengku Mahkota Pahang played a sterling game, reverting to playing at back, a position he hasn’t played in many years. With Amran showing all his fighting qualities and Steve Hagger tallying two excellent goals, Royal Pahang were always in control of this match.

It took Ranhill’s two Argentinian professionals Urbano Iturraspe (+5) and Matias Valazquez (+3) two chukkas before they really started playing to their handicaps.  17-year-old Matias was a pleasure to watch with his stylish riding and good hitting.  Urbano impressed in the later chukkas, bringing Ranhill back into the match, though in truth Royal Pahang were always in control.  Ranhill’s team captain Tan Sri Hamdan can be happy with the way his team played as they showed good potential to improve for the forthcoming RMPA International Polo League, which is scheduled to start next month.

His Majesty, the Sultan of Pahang was on hand to watch his son the Tengku Mahkota lead his Royal Pahang team to victory.

On Friday BRDB finally ended an 18-month streak of tournament wins, going out in the first semi-final to a resurgent BP Labs.  BRDB’s Dato’ Mohamed Moiz played as well as BRDB’s two local professionals, Edham Shaharuddin and Huzaini Yunos, but it was not enough against the firepower of BP Labs.

Chevy Beh was a revelation, playing well above his 3 goal handicap.  19-year-old Chevy is a student at University of Virginia, playing on America’s top college polo team.  He combined well with Argy pro Joaquim Pascal (+3).  BP Labs patriarch Dato’ Beh Chun Chuan often had to be galvanized from a reverie caused watching the excellent play of his sons Chevy and young Gawy Beh.

BP Labs kept their handicap lead of 1½ goals right to the end of the match. BRDB threatened to make a match of it when they go to within half a goal of BP Labs in the last chukka with an excellent goal by Dato’ Moiz.  With less than a minute to go Chevy took control of the ball from a throw in and ran it all the way to goal to put the match out of reach.  

Royal Pahang meet BP Labs in the final of the BRDB Cup today at 5 p.m.  In the consolation final BRDB will take on Ranhill at 4 p.m.  On Sunday the best players of the A division will be chosen to play in a six chukka exhibition game for the BRDB Challenge Trophy.

In the R.O. Cup (B Division), Royal Pahang crushed RSPC Sharks 10½-4.  Noordin Majid continued an excellent comeback to polo.  One of the best players of the 80’s and early nineties, Noordin is coming back after 10 years away from polo.  He showed his experience in playing an excellent game at back, often turning defense to attack. 

In the other B division match, Kelantan Polo Club, aided by two professionals from Royal Pahang, Tengku Rohanim and Zamri beat RSPC Dolphins 7-4½ in a hard fought match.  The two true Kelantanese were Razak and Zahar.  Kairi Jamaluddin, Peter Abisheganaden, Rizal Ashram and Camilla Sugden played for Dolphins. 

Dolphins and Sharks will play in the consolation final today while Royal Pahang and Kelantan will fight it out for the R.O. Cup.

Polo starts at 2 p.m. with D and C division matches.  The Royal Selangor Polo Club is open to the public for this event.  There is no entry fee and everyone is invited to watch some excellent polo and enjoy the atmosphere.