and the winner is.........?

Timmy and Del tour. Pic by HRK Niazi

National Open Championship, For the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup...2012... Goes to.....

Well it would be a spoiler if I write here who won, without giving you the preamble to the big day. For that, let's take stock from where we left off from last Sunday (previous post). Nestle was in front being the clear favorites to make it to the final. The 3 teams in contention for a place against Nestle were, Colony Sugar, Master Paints and Pakistan Army. All had lost a game each and all had a week to get ahead on points. 

There were three crucial games over the week that were a must see. Pakistan Army VS Master Paints, Master Paints VS Colony Sugar and finally Pakistan Army VS Nestle. All these were critical for the winner to either survive or move ahead and equally detrimental for the loser(s). In the end it was either a one way ticket up or back home. 

In the first clash, James Harper shone like a new penny, fresh out of the English Mint and outplayed Master Paints 8 -6. Army has a chance if they beat Nestle next. (easier said than done).

The second clash between Master Paints and Colony was a slow boring game that saw Colony stick their noses out in front. Master Paints floundered again and Colony is virtually through to the final. Santi is missing too many goals. Bad sign for the team. 

The third on Friday saw Nestle re-stamp its authority on this tournament and took home a convincing win over Pakistan Army. This was Army's last chance. Had to beat Nestle by 4 goals to edge our Colony. Never made it, never got close even. 

With the league rounds now over, we have our two finalists. 

1. Team Nestle, 7 games, 7 wins... what a run they're having in this tournament. Relentless in attack with the piercing Hamza Mawaz and solid in defense with the stubborn Qubilai Alam. 

2. Team Colony Sugar, 7 games, 6 wins, 1 loss.... to, you guessed it, ... Nestle, last Sunday!!. Relying on the brains of Raul Laplacette and the brawn of Santi Mendivil, this was a team that showed how a well organized, strategical, coordinated team plays. Except the loss to Nestle, their performance has been flawless. 

Here we go now, big day, big game... the final match.. Sunday 11th March, 3.30 pm.... 

Line up. Pic by Saadia Naveed. 

Nestle VS Colony Sugar. 

The crowd, having seen the curtain raiser from last Sunday, came in great numbers in anticipation of a rematch. A sea of yellow gold for Colony and wave of blue supporters for Nestle started filling up early. 

Colony supporters. Pic by Saadia Naveed. 

The club had dedicated an entire field as a car park, knowing that it'll be a capacity Sunday. The air was abuzz and soon one could see the players stick n balling before the game. Nestle clearly had the majority support in the crowd. Friends and families and the general public felt a closer association with an all Pakistani cast. Nothing taken from team Colony but patriotism was a major reason in choosing a side. 

Nestle cheerleaders. Pic. by Saadia Naveed. 

Cheers would go up every time one of the players came close to the stands while practicing. Young Hamza was getting his due share of attention indeed. His long locks flowing as he mirrored a young Jack Sparrow on horseback. Quite a picture to see. Colony boys were less dramatic, stayed in their zone and practiced their shots. 

A review of the pregame strategy. 

Nestle's plan was simple enough. They had succeeded with this combination with Hamza stretching Raul and forcing the attack. Qubilai would hit long lofted volleys up ahead to gain advantage and stretch the defense. 

Colony was with a changed strategy. They realized the damage Hamza did in the last game and had a plan to take him out of the game. With him neutralized, the attack would lose potency and Raul will be free to make his plays. Naveed to mark Hamza, Hussain to go for Qubilai and Santi to mark Sami. 

Lets see how the game went. 

The customary walk up to the grand stand, the national anthem of Pakistan (what a goose bump moment every time one hears it) and the individual introductions amid cheers for all. 

Chukkar 1. 

The ball thrown in and guess what, its Hussain Iftikhar with the break charging down the field to score ... one shot , flying towards the goal, second shot... too hard... missed the post by inches... a groan of oooohs and aaahs from the crowd and wave of sigh and relief from the Nestle supporters. Next play and tragedy strikes for Colony. Santi is off on the ground and holding rains on his best mare 'Nina'. She's on three legs. The game was stopped immediately and it turns out she's dislocated her pastern. Santi is devastated and in tears poor fellow. He was to play her 3 times in the final for about 4 mins each. What a blow.. what a set back. Santi can't stop crying as he feels for the mare. She's literally lifted and hobbles painfully across the field. This certainly casts a gloom on those that understand horses, share the love for them and can value the importance of horses to the game of polo. I can see many an eye full of tears.

A view of the game and crowd. Pic by Saadia Naveed. 

Alas the game must go on and soon its a chance for Nestle, in a different fashion all together. A spot penalty about 70 yards out and at an angle. Qubilai Alam to take his first shot at goal... canters up and booom... dead center.. A roar goes up as Nestle open their account. Looking good for them. 1 - 0 for Nestle. Is this going to be an afternoon of missed chances and bad luck for Colony??? 

Naveed and Sami.. pic by Saadia Naveed. 

Chukkar 2. 

Naveed has been all over Hamza like a cheap suit (old, abused cliche) and this is working. Hamza can't get ahead and is getting desperate every time he's on the ball. With the pressure on him he's missing his shots. An impressive back hander by Hussain saw Raul turn on a dime with 6 pence to spare on the magnificent 'Saritta' and rocketed a shot to goal. Following it up with a solo run to score another. Colony trot back to the pony lines.. 2-1. 

A nose ahead but a long way to go. It was good to see both team going back together as a team formation. A healthy sign that they players are talking to each other, making a game plan, changing where necessary.

Chukkar 3. 

Soon in and Nestle win a 60 yards penalty. Qubilai Alam hits the mark dead center and we're even on the board. 2 goals a piece. Game on and its looking like a cracker of a match. Here comes the Nestle charge towards goal, a flick and the ball is rolling towards the line and here comes Raul,  hits a desperate back hander to save it inches from the line. Nestle shouts Goal!!.. Colony says 'No way!!' and the game is stopped to consult with the goal judges. NO Goal...!!.. What a save by Raul. Throw in and the game continues only for Raul to rub some salt in these wounds. Wins a 30 yard penalty and puts that in. 

Santi and Sami

A tight call soon again in front of Nestle's goal and the 3rd man is called to action. Gaston Moore rules no foul and its a throw in. Naveed pounces on it (he's lining up at #1 with Hamza) and puts it through. Colony has the momentum and Nestles is faltering. Hamza gets desperate and bumps Raul unnecessarily, no need for such a rash play, earns a technical and gives a penalty to Colony. Raul puts that through and follows with another 60 yards at the far end. End of chukkar and Colony leads 6 - 2. This is the first time in two weeks that Nestle has given away such a lead to another team. They are visibly shaken and not used to being this far behind. 

Chukkar 4. 

It's a crucial stage of the game for Nestle. This is their only chance to stage a come back, else they'll run out of time. These boys have been winning all their games and seriously need a strong effort to get back in the race. That effort came through in the shape of a 30 yard converted by Qubilai Alam and a solo run by Sami. 6 - 4, looks like Nestle is on the come back road. Another attack towards goal, Hamza being ridden off by Raul, nearside flick by Hamza, connects, the ball is travelling to goal and Raul is on it in a flash. Unbelievable !!!  he's done it again. Saved it inches from the goal line... what a save. He's like a goal keeper today. Such saves take the wind out of a strong attack and shakes the confidence, the ball goes to the other side for Raul again to claim a foul and take a 40 yard penalty. Sails through the uprights and breaks again to score at the other end. RAUL LAPLACETTE IS ON FIRE..!!!.. He's a one man demolition squad today and has played every shot to perfection. Not a single mistake. Colony go back at the end of the Chukkar 8 - 4. Looks like they have it in the bag. Or do they.??

Saqib and Raul

Chukkar 5. 

Nestle supporters look disappointed and clearly dejected. They had come to see their team win and win by a convincing margin. They cheered themselves hoarse for the last hour or so and it seems this 4 goal margin is a mountain too big to climb. The 5th Chukkar sadly remained for purely academic purposes despite Qubilai converting a 30 yard to bring the deficit down. Only to watch Santi score a few seconds later to take it back up to a four goal difference. 51 seconds to go and Colony supporters are on their feet celebrating. The final bell and team Colony is ecstatic. 

The winning team, making its way to the podium. 

With surgical precision they carved this victory by a text book display of polo by Raul, Santi, Naveed and Hussain. Nothing taken from Nestle, they played so well only to falter at the last hurdle (a line taken from Qubilai's facebook status). Hats off to them for playing so well throughout. Perhaps the pressure of the big game or the over confident exuberance of youth took the better of them. 

This quote by Manual Crespo (7 goals) is the most accurate assessment of the game. " Raul made no mistake today and for Nestle, Qubilai was the only one who knew what shot to play, every time he got the ball"

Raul, Naveed, the trophy, Minister of Defense, Hussain and Santi. Pic by Ayda Iftikhar. 

and the winner is... Colony Sugar..!!!. 

3rd place went to Master Paints (Gaston Moore) who defeated Pakistan Army. 

Man of the match - Raul Laplacette. 

BPP, Saritta, played by Raul and owned by Naveed Sheikh. 

Leading Goal Scorer -  Gaston Moore. 41 goals in 8 games. 

MVP Foreign Player - Santiago Mendivil. 

MVP Pakistani Player - Hamza Mawaz. 

Two weeks of splendid polo and what a great tournament it's been. Special thanks to Simon Tosh for umpiring, HRK Niazi for all the pics, Zuhaib (our polo manager) for providing all the stats and you all, the readers, for your encouragement in making me write this blog all the way. 

cheers, 

see you soon on another day, under another sun. 

Agha