Mumbai: Madon Polos handicap proved to be a thorn in their way as they lost the game to V Piramal Polo by 6- 7 1/2 in the finals of the Sternhagen Polo Cup played at ARC Grounds in Mahalaxmi on Saturday. Piramal starting with the 1 1/2 goal advantage were off to a strong start with Gonzalo scoring a superb goal of an assist from Dhruvpal in the first 30 seconds to lead the game. Madon Polo then managed to open their account when Simran Shergill scored off a penalty in the 6th minute.
Vishal Nihilani showed why he is one of the top players as he ran with the ball outsmarting Dhruvpal to score the second goal in the dying seconds of the first chukker helping Madon close the gap at 2- 2 1/2. Simran growing in confidence started dominating the game as he scored his second goalin the 2nd minute of the second chukker to take a half point lead for his team at 3- 2 1/2. A rough game from Madon Polo led to an Penalty for Piramal Polo which was easily put away by Dhruvpal helping Piramal reclaim the lead.
Dhruvpal scored very early in the third chukker to extend Piramal Polos lead by 1 1/2 point . A wrong tackle in the second minute helped Madon Polo secure a penalty with was put behind the goal by Kuldeep Singh to help Madon get back in the game but their dominance was shortlived as Piramal Polo showed their dominance with Harsh Piramal scoring a goal to stay ahead in the game. It was Piramal all they way as Dhruvapal was on fire scoring a long goal to help Piramal take a 2 1/2 points lead at 6 1/2-4 in the foruth minute of the third chukker.
Madon Polo were relentless which led to Primal making a mistake and awarding a penalty to Madon Polo which was put away brilliantly by Kuldeep Singh the game was in favour of Piramal Polo at 6 1/2 -5 in the end of the third chukker. The final chukker started with Piramal Polo extending the lead courtesy of a fourth goal by Dhruvpal.
Madon Polo pushed hard and came close on a few occasions but were unlucky to not go the distance. With 42 seconds remaining on the clock Madon Polo were able to secure a penalty which was put away easily by Dinyar Madon but still were trailing by 1 1/2 points. Unfortunately Madon Polo were not left with enough time and had to concede defeat helping V Piramal Polo win the game 7 1/2-6.
Results: V Piramal Polo: 7 1/2 (Dhruvpal Godara 4, Gonzalo Yanzon 1, Nimit Mehta 1) bt Madon Polo: 6 (K Singh Rathore 3, S Shergill 2, D Madon 1)
