Thailand Polo wins Royal Selangor International
The final was held
at Putrajaya as Kuala Lumpur was again flooded. The weather in
Putrajaya was as good as the polo on the field as Royal Pahang and
Thailand Polo squared off in the final of the Royal Selangor
International Polo Tournament, the first RMPA International League
Tournament of the ywar.
Raul
Laplacette got Royal Pahang off to a good start with a brilliant hit
from over 100 yards out. It was goal for goal in the early stages as
Thailand's Carlos Pando and Martin Espain combined well to thwart the
Royal Pahang threat.
It
was still deadlocked at 3 -3 at half-time, but Thailand Polo started to
take control of the match after the interval. They led 5-3 going into
the final chukka. Led by His Royal Highness Tengku Mahkota Pahang,
Royal Pahang tried to mount one of the famous comebacks in the last
chukka. SEA Games star Tengku Shazril had a chance in the last minute
to tie the match but the ball ran agonisingly wide for Royal Pahang.
Thailand Polo held on to beat Royal Pahang 6 - 5 to win the BRDB Cup.
In
the match for 3rd and 4th place, Ranhill Polo looked to be in control
throughout the match, but it was a stubborn Jogo Polo who kept on
coming back. Agustin Canales and Guido Mangino mounted a late rally to
win the match 4 1/2 - 4 for Jogo Polo.
Festivities continue on
Saturday at RSPC with "Polo on the Lawn", an exhibition match between
the visiting players and top Malaysian professionals. The fun and
games start at 3.00 pm with a tea party on the lawn of the club.
5th, 6th and 7th places will be settled at Putrajaya on Sunday.
