THE ANNUAL tournament of the Jamaica Polo Association is currently underway at St. Ann Polo Club, Drax Hall.
The final of the Keeling Cup (0 - 4 goals) was played on March 6 between the Gruesome Foursome team of Mitta Rousseau at No. 1, Junior Chin at No. 2, Andy Vernon at No. 3 and Billy Vernon at Back, and the Ponderosa team with Paul Sheppard at No. 1, Andrew Lewis at No. 2, Mark Wates at No. 3 and Richard McNair at Back.
The Keeling final was a lively match that Gruesome Foursome dominated with three goals scored by Andy Vernon and two by Mitta Rousseau.
Junior Chin converted a 30 yard penalty to round out their score at 6 goals while Chukka Blue were held to two goals scored by Randy Mair in the first two chukkas.
The final of the Marescaux Cup (5 - 8 goals) was played last Saturday, between the Chukka Blue team of Craig Russell at No. 1, John G. Byles at No. 2, James Robertson at No. 3 and Zander Melville at Back, and Ponderosa, with Jordan Samuda at No. 1, Mark Wates at No. 2, Ricky Wates at No. 3 and Jeremy Cooper at Back.
The Marescaux final was a fast, exciting and entertaining game. Chukka Blue jumped out to an early lead scoring four unanswered goals in the first three chukkas. Two were astounding shots from seemingly impossible angles by Robertson, one in the first chukka and the other at the beginning of the third.
Russell and Melville scored with nice runs to goal in the second chukka. However, play on the field was even - Ponderosa was just unable to convert their chances.
They did start to claw their way back into the match when Ricky Wates converted two penalties in the third, but John G. kept Chukka Blue out in front by slipping past the field and scoring just before half time.
Mark Wates opened the scoring in the fourth chukka with a quick reflex under the belly shot. This was quickly countered by another goal by Craig, but Mark, who dominated this chukka scored again.
Despite his best efforts Robertson met a ball coming down the field and managed to control it while bumping and tap it through the goal to retain Chukka Blue's three-goal advantage. They eventually won 10-6.
Play continues today at Drax Hall with the Densham Cup (0 goals) Semi Final between the One Love and Benjy's Bunch.
On Thursday the Willie deLisser Cup played for as the Jamaica Open (12 goals) gets underway when the Motley Crew take on Ponderosa.
The finals of both Cups will be played on Saturday at St. Ann Polo Club, Drax Hall.
