'Four of a Kind' in pole position to dethrone Samurai

What you need to know:

  • Few had predicted that team Four of A Kind would achieve that feat, but they beat Space and Style 11-8 in Saturday's showpiece to prove that the narrow 10-9 win they collected over White Cap on Friday was no fluke
  • Evans, an elite polo player known for his strong back hand, accounted for six of the 11 goals scored by Four of a Kind
  • Samurai must now win on Sunday against the high-flying Four of a Kind if they are to maintain their hopes of retaining the 14-goal title

Improbable team ‘Four of a Kind’ Saturday collected their second win on the trot as the Kenya International 14-Goal Polo Tournament entered day two at the Nairobi Polo club.

Few had predicted that team Four of A Kind would achieve that feat, but they beat Space and Style 11-8 in Saturday's showpiece to prove that the narrow 10-9 win they collected over White Cap on Friday was no fluke.

If they beat defending champions Samurai on Sunday, the quartet of South African Gareth Evans (5), Craig Millar (3.5), Tarquin Gross (3) and Tiva Gross (2.5) will be crowned champions of the prestigious 14-goal tournament for the first time.

Evans, an elite polo player known for his strong back hand, accounted for six of the 11 goals scored by Four of a Kind as a show of might against his equally experienced compatriot Buster McKenzie who saddled as captain of team Space and Style.

“It was a very enjoyable match but we now have to re-strategize. We shall meet briefly this evening to agree on a new way of doing things so that we can have win tomorrow’s match and get this title,” Evans said after the match.

Team Samurai, who are the tournament’s defending champions, recovered from Friday’s 9-6 loss to Space and Style to beat White Cap White Cap 11-8 in their second assignment.

Samurai must now win on Sunday against the high-flying Four of a Kind if they are to maintain their hopes of retaining the 14-goal title.

White Cap remain winless in the competition despite having flown in handicap seven player Chris McKenzie from South Africa.

The international Polo Tournament is an annual event which marks the climax of the Kenyan polo season.

The tournament is usually organized over two weekends, with the first weekend being the 6-goal tournament (for teams with a collective handicap of six), which curtain raises for the mouth-watering 14-goal tournament which is open for elite players whose collective handicap must reach 14.  

SUNDAY FIXTURES

Four of a Kind v Samurai 10.30am

Space and Style v White Cap 12pm