Lagos Polo: Leighton Kings Win Open Cup

Lagos Leighton Kings, on Sunday, clinched the Open Cup by beating Lagos A-Plus Bluechip 8-4 as the first phase of the NPA Lagos Polo International Tournament mainly sponsored by GTBank came to an enthralling end.
Lagos NRT were also in joyous mood on the day as they emerged winners of the Silver Cup following their 7-4 triumph over Kano BUA.

The Kings which has Bowale Jolaoso (0), Yemo Alakija (1), Martin Juaregi (4) and Juan Cruz Guebera (4), had on Saturday won the Oba of Lagos Cup by seeing off STL 8 – 4 ½ , and were favoured to triumph against a side they edged in a fierce meeting in the preliminary stage two days earlier. And they proved the formbook right.

As it was in their previous meeting, Argentine four-goaler Martin Juaregi, took dominance of the game masterminding the moves by the Kings, who in the last few months have now scooped four titles having won the Charity Shield and Patrons Cup in Kaduna.

A Plus patron, Luqman Adebayo was unfit after a series of falls in the sides’ preliminary clash on Friday and his place was filled by Aliyu Tijani who did well in a relatively low-scoring encounter.
With Mario Gomez (5) Kwame Isa (3) and Abdulrahman Mohammed (3) competing their line-up, A Plus put on a more solid display and were trailing 3-2 at the end of the second chukka with Jolaoso scoring on either side of Juaregi while Isa and Mohammed scored for A Plus.

Juaregi, who deservedly won the MVP of the Open Cup, then scored four more goals, two of which came in the fifth and final chukka. Mohammed and Isa, in order, scored two more goals for A-Plus Bluechip.

For the Silver Cup NRT which has Tomi Ojora (-1),Yasin Amusan (-1) Dantala Ibrahim (2),Tata Ali (2) took control of the game from the start and they never took their foot of the gas as they out-galloped the away team formed Abdsamad Rabiu (-2), Murtala Dankaka (0), Abba Dantata (2), Selim Dantata (-2).
The Chagouri Bowl for selected teams which was to be competed for by Lagos Awolowo and Lagos Ribadu was called off due to time constrain occasioned by heavy rain.

The final week will gallop off Wednesday with matches in the Low Cup featuring seven home and seven away teams while Majekodunmi Cup regarded as the most prestigious Polo trophy in West Africa, will be contested for by Lagos Fifth Chukker/ Access Bank and Kaduna Keffi Ponys.
The Italian Ambassador’s Cup as well as the Churchward Plate will also be contested for by selected teams.

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