BHOPAL-PATAUDI CUP 2017: FINALS

T

he final day of the Bhopal Pataudi Cup glimmered with a promise for thrill as two of the best in the Indian Polo scene, Rajnigandha Achievers and Jindal Panthers, set stage to play.

Both the teams had a line up of formidable players. Playing for Jindal Panthers were Simran Shergil (6), Cutinelli R Goffredo (4), Ajitesh Singh (-2) & Sachin Sarbalia (0).Rajnigandha Achievers had Bhavani Singh Kalvi (2), Rakesh Sharma (-2), Deepak Udar (2) & Matthew Perry (6) playing for them.

The first chukker started with Rajnigandha taking the lead with Matthew Perry securing the first goal of the match in a 40-yard penalty. However, soon enough Jindal Panthers’ Simran Shergill settled scores. The first chukker ended with a score of 1-1.

The second chukker saw Matthew Perry scoring three consecutive goals for Rajnigandha Achievers, while Jindal Panthers scored one additional goal during the chukker. The score for chukker two stood at 2-4.

In the third chukker Jindal Panthers redeemed their scores by Simran Shergil securing the first goal of the chukker, Goffredo Cutinelli scoring the next and Sachin Sarbalia the last goal of the chukker. With the Jindal Panthers the scores for the third chukker were 6-4.

The intense fourth chukker saw both teams aggressively defending their goals. However, Rajnigandha Achievers turned the tables with Matthew Perry scoring two 60 yard penalty goals in their favour. By the end of chukker four, both the teams were tied with a score of 6-6.

To decide the winners both the team battled for the golden goal in an additional chukker. The high stakes chukker finally ended with Goffredo Cutinelli successfully taking a 30-yard penalty goal.

The neck and neck match ended with Jindal Panthers winning the Bhopal Pataudi Cup for the Ninth time. Simran Shergill was titled the Most Valuable Player, while Matthew Perry's pony, Julietta, was named the Best Playing Pony.

DAY 2/ 18th OCTOBER Delhiites Polo v/s Sahgal Stud: 8-5 Sona Polo One v/s Sona Polo Two: 2-2.5, 4-3.5, 9-4.5, 10-5.5

DAY 3/ 19th OCTOBER Jindal Panther v/s Sahgal Stud: 7.5-2

DAY 4/ 20th OCTOBER Delhiites Polo v/s ASC-Navy: 9-2 Sona Polo Two vs Rajnigandha Achievers: 1.5-1, 1.5-1, 1.5- 3, Sona Polo One vs 61 Cavalry: 11-3.5

DAY 5/ 21st OCTOBER Rajnigandha Achievers v/s Delhiites Polo: 10-8 Sona Polo One vs Jindal Panther: 2-2, 4-4, 6-6, 7-9