Contributed by Peter Ibrahim Abisheganaden. Photos by Natasha Mustapha of http://www.equestrian.com.my
Six teams competed in the RMPA International League’s final. The teams are Royal Pahang Polo Club, Royal Selangor Polo Club, Singapore Polo Club, Cameron Highlands, Thailand Polo and Ranhill.
Royal Pahang won the Royal Pahang Classic with a 4-2½ win over Ranhill in the final on Sunday in the royal town of Pekan, Pahang. In the process they also won the RMPA International League, finishing five points ahead of the other clubs.
Ranhill got a 1½ goal start to their game as they were a 12 goal team on handicap, while Royal Pahang was a 14 goal team. Handicap difference is pro-rated by the number of chukkas played. The formula for calculating the handicap given to the weaker team is to take the handicap difference multiplied by the number of chukkas and divided by 6.
Pahang started well with Gabriel fighting off all the Ranhill players to score the first goal of the game. Ranhill added one goal by Brazilian +4 goaler Jose Klabin midway through the first chukka, but it was the only goal they would score in the final. Huzaini Yunos was unable to convert any penalty shots they were given. This was to prove very costly.
HRH Tengku Mahkota scored a crucial goal in the 2nd chukka as Pahang stole the ball from a Ranhill hit-in. It bought the score to 2-2½.
Gabriel Donoso had to fight very hard to control of the game for Royal Pahang as Romano Vercellino (Chilean +3) and Jose Klabin kept him busy. Jorge La Marcha was a fantastic workhorse for Gabriel, clearing a path for him and frequently providing him with an outlet for the ball as Tengku Mahkota Pahang and HRH Prince Rashid of Jordan were often well marked by Ranhill’s Huzaini Yunos and Ali Mazlan.
Nevertheless it was not till the third chukka that Royal Pahang finally got to grips with the game. Amran Selamat came on in place of Tengku Mahkota of Pahang who injured his shoulder during the game. Amran gave away a foul for sandwiching Jose Klabin between himself and Jorge, but Huzaini’s first attempt was sent out for a safety by Amran. Huzaini put the safety wide left.
Amran started to make a better impact with his high work rate and man marking, and Pahang finally started to get the better of Ranhill. The fouls started to go their way. Gabriel hit an unstoppable 30 yarder to finally give Royal Pahang the lead late in the chukka.
Amran added one more as he scooped in Jorge’s pass to put the match beyond Ranhill. Huzaini had one last attempt with a 60 yarder but put it wide left again. It simply wasn’t Ranhill’s day.
Gabriel Donoso (pic right) was judged Most Valuable Player in the Royal Pahang Classic. The Chilean maestro, who once held a handicap of +9 was the player of this tournament, organising the Royal Pahang team and playing with real grace and skill.
Royal Pahang won the tournament and got 5 more league points. Ranhill got 3 points for 2nd place. Thailand Polo, who beat Royal Selangor Polo Club in the 3rd place match on Saturday, got 2 points, while RSPC picked up a point. Cameron Highlands and Singapore Polo Club played to a draw in their 5th and 6th place match on Saturday.
Royal Jordanian Polo Club were always in control of the National Division Final, easily accounting for Sher-e-Punjab 5-3. +6 goal Argentine pro Guillermo Villanueva was outstanding in midfield for the Jordanians, while HRH Tengku Amir also had a very good game. Qublai Alam and Tengku Shazril both played well for Punjab but it was Royal Jordanian’s superior midfield combination of Guillermo and Baha that won the game.