Abdulmalik Badamasi inspired Rubicon to a 11 – 9 1/2 win over Kashton as the final week of the the 2016 Access Bank-UNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament galloped-off in an explosive fashion Wednesday at the Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club, Kaduna.
Former National coach, Daule Baba – regarded as Nigeria’s most experienced player – and Access Bank’s Zonal Manager (North), Abubakar Kaita were among the guests that watched the Access Bank Cup encounter.
Rubicon, which has Idris Badamasi, Jamilu Mohammed, Abdulmalik Badamasi and Bashir Dantata, started the match on a half-goal deficit owing to their handicap superiority but they went ahead through Abdulmalik, who tapped in from about two yards following up a missed shot from Bashir Dantata but Lawal Mohammed scored his side’s first field goal to keep their marginal advantage.
Dantata restored Rubicon lead before it was widened by Abdulmalik’s goal to lead 3 – 1 1/2.
Crespo got into the act with a goal for Rubicon to make scores 3 – 2 1/2 but the Argentine fluffed the chance to shot Kashton ahead driving his 60 yarder just wide off the goal ending the chukka.
The first chance of the second chukka came the way of Crespo and he seized the chance converting from 60 yard as Kashton lead 3 1/2 – 3.
Minutes later, Nigeria international Abdulmalik hits his finishing shot just off target from a breakaway move as Rubicon desperately searches for another goal but Crespo was on hand to stretch Kashton lead converting from 12 yard after an infringement from Mohammed.
Kashton completed by Sherif Shagaya, Lawal Mohammed and Johan Duploy, scored again through Crespo to close the chukka 5 1/2 – 3 on the their advantage.
The hitman from South America started the third chukka the way he ended the previous to make scores 6 – 3 1/2 but Dantata keeps the game open replying with a goal for Rubicon.
The score was narrowed down to half-goal as Dantata finished off a solo goal but Kashton talisman Crespo converted from forty yards taking scores to 7 1/2 – 6.
Mohammed got a goal for Rubicon to keep them on the heels of Kashton as scoreline reads 7 1/2 – 7 heading to the penultimate chukka.
Rubicon had their nose in front again as Mohammed capitalized on a missed clearance shot by Duploy but his namesake on the opposite side struck to close the goal-shy chukka 8 1/2 – 8.
The final chukka saw Mohammed and Abdulmalik trading goals before Jamilu’s goal saw the lead changed in favour of Rubicon.
Tuesday’s match will see the start of the Charity Shield with Keffi Ponys battling MRS.
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