B.Grimm Thai Polo Masters Match Reports
Match 1
A new look Bunga Raya team took on a fortified RMPA side in the first contest of the second 14 goal tournament at the Thai Polo Club. Bunga Raya saw the return of Patron ‘Dato Razak Feroz Khan (1) and the addition of hard riding Argentinean professional, Federico Von Potobski (4), whilst RMPA enjoyed the skilful assistance of Malaysian professional, Huzaini Yussef (4), replacing Amran Selamat (2).
Wet weather over the previous few days had nearly forced postponement of the match, but Field 2 at Thai Polo held up brilliantly for the conditions. Both teams were even in the first period, but RMPA found a turbo boost in the second, with an on form Shaik Reismann (3) putting two field goals on the scoreboard, and the reliably accurate penalties of Edham Shaharuddin (4) lifting them to an 8 to 3 advantage by half-time. Bunga Raya rallied in the third to keep an even three goals a piece for that period, but the Malaysian machine stuck hard again in the last with three more unanswered field goals to win the match 13 to 6.5.
Match 2
Royal Pahang were eager to redress the power balance in this, their third battle against Jogo Elevation. Jogo had managed two wins by a single goal in the previous tournament over Royal Pahang, and had a customary bad start, finding themselves 3 goals to 6 behind at the halfway stage and looking to be missing the dynamism of their main attacker, Sattinder Garcha (2).
Moore (7) and Inchauspe (5) connected well with some long passes and their ponies looked fresh and sharp. Meanwhile, Jogo appeared uncharacteristically loose on their man marking, and as the final bell approached they were trailing by 6 goals to 10. Then, suddenly, the giant awoke and the team in black made a desperate bid to claw the match back, but time ran out for them after bagging three quick goals in succession, and Royal Pahang recorded a deserved 10 to 9 victory.
Match 3
This contest was between two teams who had lost their first league encounters and they were both desperate for the points to stay in touch with a chance in the final. Garcha (2) returned to a now full strength Jogo Elevation squad and they came out of the blocks sprinting from the first chukka this time. Von Potobski (4) for their opponents, Bunga Raya, looked to have strengthened his pony power and was consequently much more effective. By the end of the second period both teams had notched up 3 goals each, and it looked like a close tussle was in store.
However, as usual Jogo got into their stride in the second half, with Manzini (7) commanding his forces diligently and finding the goals with punishing regularity. By the final whistle Jogo Elevation had accumulated 9 goals to 5.5 of Bunga Raya, awarding them a much needed 2 points in the league table.
Match 4
Thai Polo, the home side, made their first appearance in this tournament with a radically changed line up from the previous 14 goal contest. Patron and club Chairman,‘Dato Harald Link (0), this time played alongside the dynamic duo from Argentina, Carlos Pando (6) and Raul Laplacette (6), along with Indian professional, Bhawani Singh (2).
They faced the well practiced and balanced team of RMPA, who started the match sluggishly, failing to find their characteristic discipline and structure. Thai Polo were quick to seize the opportunity with all four players finding the opponents posts seemingly with ease.
Thai Polo had piled on 7 by the halfway point with accurate passes feeding a well positioned Singh (2), during which time a panicked RMPA retaliated with only 2 goals, both from the stick of Saharuddin (4).
In the third period the tide began to turn, in the form of two converted penalties by Huzaini (4) for RMPA, but a worse fate awaited the Thai Polo quartet in the last chukka. Capitalising on some errors and diminished momentum from their opponents, RMPA turned up the heat. Now looking more composed and in control, both Shaharrudin and Reismann began to score almost at will, until scores were tied at 8 each. Then, seconds from the final bell, Reismann made a solo run through the field and flicked the winner over the goal line to seal the thrilling match by 9 goals to Thai Polo’s 8.
Match 5
Thai Polo took to the field again last Sunday on the magnificent ground 1, which had completely dried out after the rainy weather, to do battle against Bunga Raya. Benefiting from a ½ goal handicap advantage and four well executed penalties from Crespo (7) in the early stages of the match, Bunga Raya were in charge, and held a very handsome lead of 5.5 goals to 2. Laplacette (6) took a nasty blow from an opponent’s mallet to the upper lip, but was quickly patched up and soldiered on, despite later to receive 14 stitches at hospital.
By the middle of the second period the cogs in the Thai machine began to turn and all three professionals hit some spectacular field goals to get their nose in front by ½ goal at halftime.
Very little separated the two teams in the third chukka, with Bunga Raya putting in their best performance to date and looking confident, but perhaps still short of enough pony power to truly dominate.
The last chukka saw Thai Polo finally building a significant lead, with Pando (6) and Singh (2) both getting onto the score sheet with determined play. Bunga Raya simply ran out of steam and the match slipped away once again. Thai Polo 11 to Bunga Raya 7.5.
Match 6
Next up was the all Malaysian showdown between Royal Pahang, now including the previously injured Prince Abdullah, and the so far unbeaten RMPA. Moore (7) played like a man possessed right from the start, and Patrons ‘Dato Moiz (1) and Prince Abdullah (1) were both well disciplined in their respective positions. Moore put away two penalties and two field goals by halftime, with Prince Abdullah also scoring in great style.
Huzaini (4) for RMPA kept his team in contention with some clever stick work, although the quartet appeared to lack their usual energy and cohesion and cosequently trailed throughout the match. Further goals from Moore and ‘Dato Moiz sealed the deal, and Royal Pahang earned themselves a valuable 2 points for the league table, finally winning the encounter by 7 goals to 4.
Match 7
This was a critical match for both teams, and Jogo Elevation sadly had their habitual poor start against the four Malaysian professionals of RMPA. By the time Jogo had found an answer, RMPA had hit home 5 goals, with Shaik Reismann (3) again on devastating form.
Manzini (7) kept the black shirted Jogo in contention with some well struck penalties and some strong second half attacks. However, RMPA’s classic first half performance was enough to carry them through to a 7 goals to 6 victory.
Match 8
Thai Polo continued their run of bad luck with injuries in their head to head with the so far unbeaten Royal Pahang. There was very little between the two teams until the end of the second chukka, during which Carlos Pando (7) took a nasty knock to the elbow from the hard plastic ball travelling at great speed. Despite his trying to continue, the injury forced Pando’s replacement with Gines Bargallo (5) who was although very effective, inevitably the rhythm was interrupted.
Royal Pahang immediately exploited this opportunity to take control, with HRH Prince Abdullah making some spectacular solo breaks through the field to put several goals on the board for his team. With little time left in the match Royal Pahang had established a four goal lead, but Thai Polo managed to earn some respect with a couple of late goals from the hardworking Bargallo. It was too little, too late however, as Royal Pahang held on for a convincing win by 9 to 7.
Match 9
Thai Polo were now effectively out of the running for the top slot and took on Jogo Elevation for what had become the decider for 3rd and 4th position in the Thai Polo Masters tournament. Pando was unfortunately still out of action, but was again ably substituted by Bargallo (5).
However, the energy seemed to have evaporated from the Thai Polo engine room and the first half completely belonged to their opponents. All four of the Jogo side were connecting well and scoring prolifically, with Garcha (2) especially putting in an outstanding performance with a hat trick of goals, all scored under pressure.
Singh (2) for Thai Polo scored a couple of consolation goals in the second half, but a generally lack lustre performance knocked them into fourth position as Jogo deservedly defeated them by 7 goals to 3 ½.
Match 10
The last match of the tournament saw Royal Pahang defending their position at the top of the league table against the so far unsuccessful Bunga Raya squad. Royal Pahang needed to win the match in order to keep close challengers RMPA in second place. Moore (7) again made a great impact on the match in terms of orchestrating his team and putting points on the score board. Despite some breathtaking individual play from Crespo (7), the Bunga Raya side trailed by 6 goals to 1 at the halftime whistle.
A rally in the second half produced more goals for Bunga Raya from the stick of Crespo, one from over 90 metres out, but their efforts were in vain as Royal Pahang were just too smooth and quick around the field.
With the final score for Royal Pahang of 8 to Bunga Raya’s 5 ½, the defence of their number one position had been achieved.
The B.Grimm Thai Polo Masters was thus won in great style by the Royal Pahang team of HRH Prince Abdullah and ‘Dato Mohamed Moiz, with victories in all four of their league matches.
RMPA came second with 3 league match wins, whilst Jogo Elevation finished in a respectable third position, having won two and lost two of their matches.