Terengganu Polo Club wins Bukit Kiara Merdeka League Final

Terengganu Polo Club (TPC) scored a marvellous victory in the Merdeka League Final at Bukit Kiara on Staurday evening.  They overcame a stubborn Hyatt Pahang tema 7-5 in an exciting final.

Argentine Christian Sydall marshalled the TPC team superbly.  His long hitting was excellent as he repeatedly sent his players rampaging forward against Hyatt Pahang.

Tengku Sri Panglima was not able to play in the final as he had fractured two ribs in a fall in his last match.

His place was taken by Nassiruddin.  Syed Bukhari played the final as co-patron Gulam Fadzillah also sat it out.  RSPC pro Samsuri Ismail added bite to the TPC offense.

Hyatt Pahang had the professional services of Hayudin Hamsah, who was later named tournament MVP.   Co-patrons Jamili Rashid and Fazila Flippi were joined by RSPC’s Hennie Conraad for a half the match.  Fazila's husband JC Flippii had a taste of a polo final, sharing play with Fazila.  Zulkhairie Kople played the other two chukkas for Hyatt Pahang.

The final was delayed as rain fell just as play was about to start.  It created a slick ground that had already been battered by eight days of play.  Fortunately there were no accidents on the final day.

Terengganu was quick to stamp their authority on the match.   Syed Bukhari opened the accounts in the 1st chukka for TPC.  Hayudin replied with a cracking long range shot from 80 yards out.  Hyatt could have taken the lead but scores remained tied 1-1 at the end of the first chukka as Hayudin missed a 40 yarder.

TPC and Hyatt traded the lead in second chukka.  Samsuri dribbled the ball in from the 60 yard line going through a mass of players.  Hyatt replied with Hayudin picking up the ball from midfield from a long Christian Sydall hit-in and took it all the way back.   He scored with a nearsider while being hard ridden by Samsuri. 2-2.

TPC drew away from Hyatt mid-way through the second chukka.  Christian Syddall scored an unstoppable 60 yarder to take TPC back into the lead at 3-2.  Samsuri made it 4 -2, taking a pass from Christian.

Christian Syddall turned it on in the the 3rd chukka with first a superb solo goal.  He followed it up immediately with another to take the score to 6-2.

Hayudin got a lucky whistle and converted a 30 yarder to bring the score to 6-3 at the end of the 3rd chukka but Terengganu were well in control of the match.

Ex-SEA Games squaddie Zulkhairie pulled another back to bring it to 6-4 midway thru the final chukka.  Nassaruddin broke away from the throw-in. His shot hit the post and Samsuri converted it to make it 7-4.  The goals were coming thick and fast in the final chukka as Hyatt tried to mount a comeback.  The veteran Jamili Rashid broke away to score for Hyatt Pahang bringing it to 7-5 with 2 mins to go.

Hyatt had the opportunity to bring it to within a goal with a 60 yarder with 90 seconds to go.  But Hayudin’s effort goes just wide.

Terengganu Polo Club ran out worthy 7 – 5 winners.

In the match for 3rd/4th place, JMF Polo cruised to a 5 -2 win over Jennifer Too's WOFS Dragons.  All the JMF Polo goals came before half-time.

Although he was not able to play the final, Tengku Sri Panglima was named Most Valuable Amateur player at the Bukit Kiara Merdeka League tournament.  His TPC owned horse "Apache" won Best Playing Pony.  The Argentine-bred mare was played by Samsuri Ismail.  Hyatt's Hayudin Hamsah was named MVP of the tournament.

In Friday's matches for minor placings, RJPC 1 edged 1 Pahang 3-2 to claim 5th place.  6th place was enough for Tengku Dato' Uzir and Tengku Dato' Faisal's 1 Pahang team to win the Merdeka League by half a point from Terengganu Polo Club.

Head Hunters got their revenge over Ganu Iskandar winning 6-5 to take 7th place.  Bunga Raya put the final nail in Kiara Polo's dismal tournament, beating them 6 - 4 1/2 to keep them winless.

Photo courtesy of Armand Ali.

Article courtesy of Equestrian.Com.My