With a capacity crowd of spectators in the stands,
and on a hot and humid day, Fifth
Chukker polo team claimed the glittering Coronation Cup, defeating Ashbert
Raiders at foremost Abraka Turf & Country Club Ground for their second
major polo title in the oil rich Niger Delta .
Decided over two days, the game was tied several
times and never out of reach of either team until the final chukka rally by the
Kaduna visitors that separated the two with a 10-7win over their host.
Fifth Chukker opened up the final game with two
consecutive goals by Adamu Atta and Babangida Hassan, before Ashbert Raiders
found its offense. Their English import, Sam Gardner scored the first goal of
the game on 60-yard penalty shot and then followed up with a goal from the
field a couple of minutes later.
Bashir Dantata (Jnr.) took the opening throw-in of
the second period and carried down the field for a go-ahead goal, 3-2. Prince
Albert Esiri made it all closer for the Raiders at 3-3 just a minute later with
a goal from the field, and two quick goals by Atta and Cesar Crespo left
Ashbert trailing 5-3 going into the third chukka.
Gardner opened the third chukker with a goal from
the field, keeping Ashbert some glitter of hope, but it was Fifth Chukker
scoring straight goals from the field. At the end of the third period, the
Kangimi resort polo lords were home and dry with a 9-4 lead going to the finals
chukka.
Ashbert Raiders took the field by storm in the final
period of the game. Dawule Baba and Gardner scored the first two goals of the
chukker. Atta, Crespo and Dantata slammed the door on the Raiders with more
goals with little over two minutes remaining on the clock.
Prince Esiri salvaged some pride as he kept his
Raiders from getting blanked with their seventh goal, but it was Fifth Chukker
celebrating the 10-7 victory.
The rivalry between the two teams was one worthy of
respect as they tried to play an open game, making it more interesting for the
spectators, but also bearing the defensive aspect in mind. The highest
difference however, seemed to be the 10-7 scoreboard at the end of the
confrontation.
Earlier in the day, Aqua Dulcis came from behind to
snatch a sensational Conservation Cup victory beating Ashton Wells 41/2-4, in a
fiercely fought game that had the crowd cheering from start to finish.
Ashton Wells trio of Tobi Edun, Argentine Hugo and
Tong Isodje who arrived barely an hour
from Port Harcourt for the game, had gone into the lead with two quick goals
and held on the lead till the third chukka when Aqua Dulcis drew level.
Edun and Isodje added two more goals in the final
chukka, but the day belong to the resurgence Aqua Dulcis as the only female
player in the tournament who scored the opening goal of the game added formed
an excellence partnership with Usman Dantata and Abdulrahaman Mohammed which
helped them turn the table against Ashton in the final minute of the game.
Their second meeting was another kettle of fish
entirely, as Prince Albert and Bruno joined forces to eased Ashton wells to a
9-5 victory in the highly competitive Ashton Wells Cup face off against Aqua
Dulcis team.
The event was decided on the lush lawn of the exotic
resort packed full with high personalities who came in their droves to be part
of the fiesta. The long list of personalities who witnessed the prestigious
polo event includes the Ovie of Umiaghwa Abraka Kingdom, His Royal Myesty, AVM
Lucky Ochuko Ararile (rtd.). His entourage includes Chief Nath Anho, the
Traditional Prime Minister of Umiaghwa Abraka Kingdom and Chief Inomiesa,
Secretary to the Council of Chiefs.
Others personalities like Prince Elateru Olagbegi
who came all the way from Owo Kingdom in Ondo State to be part of the
international event, Dr. Leslie
Akporiaye from the Delta State University Teaching Hoospital, Oghara, Chief
(Dr,) Salubi, Engr. Madamiedor, Warri based entrepreneur, Bassey Etim, among
others.
The Ovie who ascended the throne in a colourful
coronation ceremony only weeks ago, described the Abraka’2012 experience as a
great one whose memories would linger for months on end. He singled out the
Abraka Turf & Country Club as a shinning example of an individual effort at
projecting the tourism potentials of Delta State and Nigeria internationally.
“Let me on behalf of the Umiaghwa Abraka Kingdom and
all the entire people of Delta State, thank Prince Albert Esiri for his
visionary effort at putting up this world class facility that has for the past
decade been positively projecting the image of the state and the region
internationally,” the royal father added.
The resort is set on several hectares of lush
cultivated tropical gardens for families, couples and individuals offering
holiday accommodation in villas and apartments. Being away from the hustle and
bustle of the business hubs of Nigeria, Abraka Turf and Country Club is the
perfect environment to completely relax or embark on all the adventures this
magnificent region has to offer.
Abraka's unique combination of location, country
club atmosphere, luxury accommodation and friendly staff, makes packing your
bags to leave this exotic place a great challenge. The Turf and Country Club,
boasts of a breathtaking setting that is surrounded by lush tropical jungle and
bordered by the beautiful River Ethiope.
The Turf has equestrian facilities for polo and
horse riding and has the best stables in the country with various breeds of
horses, ranging from local to argentines. Other activities to be enjoyed at the
club include archery, clay pigeon shooting, lawn tennis, squash, canoeing, and
a driving range for golfers.
Coronation Cup Result:
Fifth Chukker-10
Ashbert Raiders -7
Conversation
Cup Results
Aqua Dulcis-41/2
Ashton Wells-4
Ashton Wells Cup Results
Ashton Wells -9
Aqua Dulcis -5
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