NEWS

Article courtesy of Sportpesa News

Kenya came from behind to stun USA 5-4 and lift the Third Statehood Day Women’s Polo Tournament at Kangjeibung Grounds in Manipur, India, on January 21.

Kenya started the match on wrong footing and their mistakes gifted the Americans with three quick goals in the opening chukker. Handicap three player, Marissa Wells, capitalized on Kenya’s disunity to score a field goal hat-trick.

Kenya put their house in order after their bad start and in the second chukker, captain and handicap two player, Tiva Gross, led by example by slotting in a penalty to cut the deficit to 1-3. Gross was on it again even before the dust had settled when she uncorked a screamer from the center of the field for 2-3 at the break with the Americans rattled.

Her shot set tongues wagging during the break with the beautiful finishing among the goals of the tournament. Wells took her tally to four by scoring another field goal for USA at the start of the third chukker to stretch their lead but Imogen Voorspuy struck for Kenya to leave matters at 3-4 when the period ended.

In the dramatic last chukker, Kaila Millar and Gross shut the back door as Nikki Ngugi and Rowena Stitchbury led the assault upfront. Ngugi made it 4-4 in the dying embers of the game and with 20 seconds to go, Millar completed the stirring comeback when she finished with a neckshot that sealed the most unlikely of victories.

Kenya then lifted the prestigious Bombay Stock Exchange trophy, a revered royal wedding prize that was presented to the team by Manipur Governor, Dr. Najma Heptulla. The KSh100,000 (60,000 rupees) in cash which the team also received was donated to Ibuthou Marjing Khubam Kanba Lup, an association tasked with preservation of the shrine of the Manipuri ponies.

“We had a slow start in the game. We got our act together during the match. The team played amazingly and each member played their part in marking, hooking or setting up goals,” Stichbury stated. “Each team had ten horses for two chukkas which were then swapped at half time. This was meant not to give any side any due advantage. USA started with better horses then we got them in the second half. We strategized by rotating our five players as we kept our captain Gross, in as she was the strongest player. We are glad to be crowned champions.”

Semifinal results
Kenya defeated IPA 9-3
USA defeated Australia 3-2

Final results
Kenya defeated USA 5-4

All photos ©Tansen Konjengbam