The Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup

January 2, 2012 Game Reports 0

The Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup

 

Royal Salute, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, marked its third year as title sponsor of The Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, with its largest and most international crowd watching the Central Academy team win the impressive 10 goal tournament.

 

Set in the majestic foothills of Umaid Bhawan Palace, guests of Royal Salute were hosted from 26 – 31 December by His Highness The Maharaja of Jodhpur with guest of honour, Torquhil Ian Campbell the 13th Duke of Argyll. VIPs from every continent enjoyed five days of world-class polo at the close of the Jodhpur season.

 

Neil Macdonald, Global Brand Director for Royal Salute, commented: “There is no event quite like the Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup. With a world-class 10 goal tournament and some stunning parties, our guests have enjoyed a spectacular few days.”  

 

The tournament culminated with the exclusive Royal Salute Golden Jubilee Ball attended by 150 VIPs including players and patrons alike. The Maharaja’s famous New Year’s Eve procession and celebration at The Mehrangarh Fort also provided an unforgettable conclusion to the tournament.   

 

Central Academy 7 ½ – 3 Yuvraj Knights


 

Central Academy won the Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodphur Golden Jubilee Cup by beating Yuvraj Knights in a final that demonstrated polo at its best.

 

The climax of the Jodphur polo season inspired memorable performances from Niall Donnelly and Manupal Gorada, who both scored hat-tricks in a thrilling exhibition.

 

The fledgling side, playing together in Jodphur for the first time, trailed early in the first chukka but quickly asserted their authority over proceedings and raced into a five-goal lead by the halfway stage.

 

The Yuvraj Knights fought hard but were no match for a Central Academy side who clicked when it mattered most.

 

“We came here with double determination and our hard work paid off,” said Manupal Godara, who was deservedly named the ‘Taj Best Performing Player’ following a display that combined strength and subtlety. “This is a very good tournament with many class players and we knew we would have to produce our best in the final, and it’s a good feeling that we were able to do that.”

 

Manupal cancelled out the Knights’ early advantage with a fiercely struck 60-yard penalty which sailed over the posts despite the stiff breeze. Donnelly added two more from close range to give Central Academy a commanding lead.

 

The real exhibition stuff came in the second chukka, with Manupal and Donnelly both scoring spectacular individual goals within seconds of each other. Manupal raced fully 200 yards to stretch his side’s advantage, before Irishman Donnelly showed exquisite close control to cut in from the left flank and steer the most delicate of backhands through the posts from an acute angle.

 

“Niall is a very talented player, and played much better than the three goals he scored today,” said Manupal. “It was a pleasure playing with him, and he will be one of the best players in the future. He’s an amazing team player.”

 

Trailing by 4 ½ goals at the start of the third chukka, Yuvraj Knights arrested their slide with a Vishal Singh penalty but they never got within sight of Central Academy, who put the gloss on their victory with a wonderful team goal in the final chukka.

Donnelly’s backhand released Manupal, who showed power and poise to convert his fourth to the delight of a packed grandstand, including His Highness Gaj Singh II and His Grace the Duke of Argyll. 

 

Teams:

 

Central Academy +9, 1: Ankur Mishra (+0).  2: Vicky Nihalani (+2) 3: Niall Donnelly (+3) 4: Manupal Godara (+4).

 

Yuvraj Knights +10. 1: Ms Robyn Di Kuppa Lourvanij (+0). 2 Dhananjay Singh (+1),  3: Vishal Singh (+4) 4: Samir Suhag +5. Non playing captain: Yuvraj Shivraj Singh.

 

Additional Results:

 

Winner, Royal Salute Puissance Trophy (for longest hit): Manupal Godara

 

Hermes Cup, exhibition match: Hermes Tigers 7 – 4 Royal Salute Gunners

 

Abu Seir Cup (competed for by teams eliminated from the Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Cup) – Carysil Cowboys 7 – 5 JPC/Sona/Equi Sports

 

The Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup further highlights Royal Salute’s growing commitment to international polo, with sponsorships of the world’s most prestigious polo events across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Royal Salute World Polo Series continues in January 2012 at the Royal Salute Nations Cup in Dubai.