2016 Access Bank-UNICEF Charity Shield Polo: Access Bank-Fifth Chukker battle MRS in final

Access Bank Fifth Chukker defeated Keffi Ponys 9-7 on Saturday to set up a winner-takes-all duel with MRS for the UNICEF Cup in the 2016 Access Bank-UNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament.

The match at the Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club, Kaduna was watched by a large crowd including dignitaries among who are the Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Bello and Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sidika
and it was Keffi Ponys that started on a three-goal handicap.

Ponys lost their first game to MRS and know that only a win will keep them in the race for the title but they conceded a goal in the early moment of the game as seven-goaler Manuel Crespo converted a 40 yarder.

The game’s next chance came the way of Ponys, formed by Ahmed Wadada (0), Hassan Babangida (+3), Diego White (+6) and (+6), but he couldn’t connect perfectly on his final shot off a breakaway move. White soon got the Ponys opening field as the chukka ended 4-1.

Wadada, who is the patron of Keffi Ponys, then made the score 5-1 tapping in from 10 yards but Crespo reduced the deficit almost immediately shooting from about 15 yards.
Julio Estrada (+7) combined effectively with Crespo to get another goal and Buba followed up with a goal to close the second chukka 5-4.

There was no goal in the third chukka but the fourth chukka started on a frenzy with Buba guiding the ball in off a crowded goal mouth to level scores.

Crespo, the highest MVP of the Lagos International Polo held in February, scored a 40-yarder to give Fifth Chukker the lead for the first time and it drew a rapid response from his fellow Argentine, Cernadas taking scores to 6-6.

In the fifth chukka, Buba capitalized on a missed clearance from White to give Fifth Chukker a 7-6 lead but he came within inches of scoring another goal hitting his midair shot just off target.

Crespo soon got another goal to keep his team’s lead healthy just before the chukka came to an end.

The South American continued to stamp his authority on the match scoring again to make scores 9-6 as the game draws to conclusion.
White’s goal reduced the lead to 9-7 but it proved academic.

The final day (Sunday) will see Access Bank/Fifth Chukker confront MRS in a winner-takes-all clash.