HUBLOT 80 GOLES – THE PERFECT POLO MATCH

It was a beautiful day and a perfect setting for the Perfect Polo Match at Centauros Polo Club, in which Granaderos (Pablo Mac Donough, Bautista Heguy, Gonzalo Pieres (Jr), Facundo Pieres and Bartolomé Castagnola) defeated Patricios (Adolfo Cambiaso, Agustín Merlos, Ignacio Heguy, Miguel Novillo Astrada and Marcos Heguy) 15-14.

It was an exhibition match which featured two 40-goal teams and ten 10-goal Argentine players.

Facundo Pieres was awarded best mounted player, and Agustin Merlos was the top scorer of the match.

WINE WOMEN & POLO!

A spectacular show of Polo, especially Indian Polo was displayed in the match between India and Australia at Mahalakshmi… the Indian tigers came up trumps and took the jump out of the kangaroos from down under defeating them 8- 4.5. The day was graced by wine and women as well...

Indiabulls International Polo Championship
India vs Australia

“India v/s Australia – the battle of the titans!” That’s what the news reads on the day of a cricket match with the two countries involved, a spectacle no one wants to miss. Rest assured that the Indiabulls International Polo test match between the two nations was just as thrilling. A good crowd was in attendance with the media probably outnumbering them, ‘twas an evening to look forward to.

The Army band melodiously kicked off proceedings with their display. As they played, an Indiabulls helicopter showered rose petals all over the field. That was perhaps a flowery welcome to all the beautiful ladies who paraded the ramp straight after, sporting the very rider-oriented collection presented by Delna Poonawalla. More than any of the action from the game, which was to follow, the lovely models stole the “flash”-lights of the shutterbugs. There was instant chaos and photographers were battling to gain positions like it was a war of sorts! Is there a lack of gorgeous ladies in this city?

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THE JODHPUR POLO SEASON

A festive atmosphere prevailed during the IXth Jodhpur Polo Season which had its sprinkling of glamour with the Jodhpur Royalty in attendance. A tented village was laid out with 12 Royal tents, using the Balsamand Lake Palace Garden as the scenic center, which provided an excellent fresh countryside environment for the players. High quality polo was on display, which is a trademark of Jodhpur, and it was accompanied with events such as a Vintage Car Rally, a Cycle Polo Match and a display by Army dogs.

Four tournaments and six one-day matches were played where each tournament had four to five teams. Mr. Ignacio F. Llorente (Nacho), a +3 handicap player from Argentina and Philip Craye from France were hot favourites with the audience.

Yuvraj Shivraj Singh launched a book – ‘Polo in India’ – written by Jaisal Singh, a long time player at Jodhpur.

The Golden Jubilee exhibition match was played between Sahara and India Tiger teams with the final score being five goals each. The result of the match was decided by a toss, which went in favour of Sahara. Another competitive one-day exhibition match was the Beginners’ Cup, which ended in a draw. This match was decided on the basis of a penalty shootout, each team getting four chances, after which the Cubs emerged victorious.

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INDIAN NAVY POLO STICK (+6 Goals)

The game was a nail-biter from the start. The Piramal team matched the Navy/Cav stride for stride and replied every goal that came from the mallet of any Navy/Cav player. The defensive prowess of both the teams was impeccable and painted a vivid picture of the improving face of Indian Polo. The most outstanding player of the day for Navy/Cav was Lt. Cdr. Akhil Sirohi who attacked almost every loose ball and created many opportunities besides scoring two goals himself. Capt. Vishal Chauhan took everyone’s (especially Piramal supporters’) breath away with sudden thundering bursts downfield and nailed in two on the scoreboard as well. Vishal Singh proved awesome by scoring four goals for the Piramal team, but the player who made the game for the Piramals was Harsh Piramal who was a strong force and deservedly scored the equalizing goal, which made the difference to the face of the game.

The game ended in a draw with the score at 5-5 at the end of the stipulated four chukkers. The umpires called for an extra chukker on the basis of sudden death, where the first team to score would win the tournament. In the end all was well, the trophy was shared by the Navy/Cav and the Piramal team after a thoroughly tiresome and tough match of Polo that was more than a pleasure to watch. A worthy reward for an eloquent display of excellent horsemanship. They say all is fair in love and war – we ask, “What about Polo?”

STARLIGHT UNDER LIGHTS
Unitech Arena Polo Match

A milestone, not only in the Mumbai Polo season, but a grand event to say the least as mid-March saw the first polo match to be played under lights at Mahalakshmi. More than a match, it was an event attended by over 500 people and many significant personalities. The teams consisted of only three players each, but evidently the choicest players. Celtics boasted of the most popular Samir Suhag (+5), Sanjay Kapur and Maj. Ravi Rathore (+3); and their challengers, the Vikings, had strong contenders as well - Vishal Singh (+4), Manupal Godara (+4) and long-time ARC veteran Brian Alexander (+1). Both the teams were scoring goals one after another. The match was a real thriller. The crowd really got into the game two chukkers in, and this started bringing out more splendour from the players. The game ended 9-7 in the favour of the Celtics, who left the Vikings stranded in the last chukker.

The breath-taking match was followed by cocktails and dinner. The grand finale of the evening was a fashion show displaying creations of Preeti Chandra under the lovely night sky, and the glamour brigade adding glitz to the evening made it even more enchanting. Overall, the event was successful, and we need many more events like this to attract crowds to polo – the game of glory.

THE SOUTHERN COMMAND CUP

A very promising final match between players from the ARC/Piramal and Marson teams was graced by Lt. Gen. Thamburaj, Sena Medal, Army Commander Southern Command. Harsh Piramal started the goal-fest which was replied by two accurately hit 60-yard penalty shots from Samir Suhag, in his trademark style of slowly and tantalisingly approaching the shot. Mitesh Mehta pulled one back for the ARC/Piramal. Marson’s third goal from Samir Suhag was probably the best goal of the season; a zero-angle shot at goal from under the belly of his pony – again displaying the accuracy that he is renowned for. All this in the first chukker, 3-2. Samir added to the tally by scoring another in the second chukker making it 4-2. He just could not stop and scored yet another goal in the third chukker, followed by a 40-yard penalty from Vishal Singh, leaving it at 5-3. The pressure was all on ARC/Piramal to fight in the last chukker. They fought back with Vishal Singh and Manupal Godara showing nerves of steel, and the match ended in a draw at 5-5, both the teams deservedly sharing the trophy.

HDIL POLO CUP

A really exciting and action-packed Mumbai Polo Season 2008 came to a close with this match. The final of the HDIL Polo Cup was played between the Hawks and the Thunderbirds. Both added up to a handicap tally of +7. There were some last minute changes; Harsh Piramal who was scheduled to play could not make it and the responsibility fell on to Kamran Ahmed, a young scratch player with a brilliant opportunity to prove himself. Vishal Singh scored the first goal for the Hawks leaving the score at 1-0 at the end of the first chukker. The Thunderbirds replied with a lovely pass from Lt. Col. Khera and Kamran converted calmly. ‘Twas 2-1 at the end of the second chukker. The third chukker ended at 4-3. Manupal was awarded a 30-yard penalty in the fourth chukker and took it with utter ease. Vishal Singh was up to the task when he was awarded a safety as the ball went out of play off a defender’s stick and converted the 60-yard shot accurately. But luck gave the Thunderbirds a foul less than 3 yards from the Hawks’ goal-line, duly converted making the score 5-5. An exciting draw at the end of the match and a memorable end to a thrilling Mumbai Season 2008. Can’t wait for next season!

CHILE BEAT BRAZIL TO WIN
THE FIP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

The FIP World Championship – Mexico 2008 final was a tightly contested competition between finalists Brazil and Chile. Brazil came in as hot favourites after defeating Spain in their semi-final match; whereas Chile were the villains after they defeated home country Mexico in their semi-final leg. Both the teams fought it out with swinging mallets all over the field. Chile gave the defending champions quite a run for their money and finally emerged victorious – a true upset. They defeated the strong defending champions by 11-9. ’Twas utmost joy for the Chilean players who jubilantly celebrated like schoolboys after beating the Brazilian giants with some quality play that proved to be just what they needed on the day. A true thriller!