Royal Pahang wins Malaysian Open Polo

Royal Pahang Polo Club won the Malaysian Open Polo Tournament with a scintillating 6 - 4 1/2 win over Ranhill Polo in the final at Putrajaya on Saturday.  They took their chances on a very fast match on a quick field, while Ranhill were left to rue missed chances.

Gines Bargallo was rock solid in defence for Royal Pahang.  He was ably assisted by fellow Argentinean Manuel Carranza who had good game at No 3.  Amran Selamat worked very hard in his man-marking role.  Tengku Shazril was outstanding in the final, showiing many good touches with his flying stickwork. 

Ranhill got off to the better start as Alejandro Vial-Peres gave them the lead.  Manuel Carranza replied for Royal Pahang, but it was Ranhill enigmatic patron Tan Sri Hamdan who gave Ranhill a 2 1/2 - 1 lead at the end of the first chukka.  

Royal Pahang got into their stride in the 2nd chukka and while they capitalised on their chances, it was a case of Ranhill not being able to get the ball between the posts despite that attacking.  Ranhill showed they were just as good as Pahang in open play, but time after time, the bounce construed to stymy them.

Royal Pahang led 5 - 2 1/2 at half-time.  By the end third chukka, they had a 6 - 3 1/2 lead.  By this stage the writing was on the wall for Ranhill.  Ranhill pressed hard in the final chukka but Gines Bargallo was outstanding in repelling them. Huzaini Yunos got a late goal in the final chukka but it was too little, too late for Ranhill. 

The field, which had seen very little rain throughout the tournament, was very active and with a lot of roll, despite a late watering.  It made for a fast, open, exciting game, but not a high scoring game, worthy of an open final.

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