Oberoi Blues win Northern India Open title

NEW DELHI, January 24: Oberoi Blues defeated Aravali Polo 4-3 in a thrilling encounter to clinch the Northern India Open title at Jaipur ...

NEW DELHI, January 24: Oberoi Blues defeated Aravali Polo 4-3 in a thrilling encounter to clinch the Northern India Open title at Jaipur Polo Ground, here today.

Shamsheer Ali opened the account for Oberoi Blues to give them the crucial lead. Mitias Magarini consolidated the lead further by scoring the second goal that took Oberoi Blues 2-0 up at the end of the first chukker.

In the second chukker, Aravali Polo stung back and equalised with two goals one each from Howard Hipwood and Philip Elliott. Both the teams fought hard to establish their superiority but failed to score in the third chukker.

In the fourth chukker, Howard Hipwood provided Aravali Polo the vital lead by scoring through a 40-yard penalty. But an opportunist Shamsheer Ali quickly equalised for Oberoi Blues to make it 3-3. The fourth chukker witnessed some drama and tense moments when Oberoi Blues captain Vishal Singh got injured.

Vishal Singh, however, after a brief break returned with more vengeance and determination in the fifth and final chukker. Dhruvpal Godara scored the winner for Oberoi Blues to make it 4-3. Oberoi Blues won the Northern India Open title for the second consecutive year.

The match was followed by a musical dressage by Kapil Modi and his black stallion Domino. The trophy was presented to Oberoi Blues by Gen. V P Malik, Chief of the Army Staff. The winners also received a cheque of Rs 60,000 and the runners-up got Rs 40,000.

Shamsheer Ali was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the championship and the best pony award of the championship went to Princess’ ridden by Aravali Polo team captain Howard Hipwood.