A 40-YARD PENALTY in the final 15 seconds of extra time was all that was needed to break the deadlock and provide Kenya with a nerve-jangling 6-5 polo victory over Barbados at the Lion Castle grounds in St Thomas.
With the scores locked at 5-5 at the end of regulation time, Kenya were awarded a 40-yard penalty that sealed the deal and prevented a similar 5-5 result in their opening game of the tournament last Sunday at the Clifton Polo ground.
Casimir Gross playing alongside his sister Tiva and ably back backed by solid defending from Topper Murray and Sasha Craig, was able to level the 4-match series 1–1 after they were defeated 5–4 by Barbados on Tuesday at the Holders grounds in St James.
The pick of the players for Kenya was Casmir Gross, who was once again a thorn in the flesh of the Barbadians scoring four of his team’s goals including the match winner.
Kenya ended the first half leading Barbados by three goals to two and immediately on the resumption made 4-2 after a foul by Lucas Nicolai was spotted by umpire Martin Fuster, who immediately pointed to the 40-yard penalty spot.
With the momentum swinging in the Kenyans’ direction, Gross found the back of the bars with a well-executed goal from 15 yards out to end the chukka with his team leading Barbados by five goals to two.
As if sensing defeat, the Barbadians, led by spirited runs on goal by Teddy Williams and Philip Tempro, stepped up the pressure at the start of the final chukka and soon had the Kenyans on the back foot.
It immediately paid dividends as they blasted two quick back-to-back goals through the Kenyan’s defence.
Tempro made no mistake with his 60-yard penalty, neither did Nicolai in the final minutes of the chukka. A third goal in the chukka from the mallet of Teddy Williams drew the scores level at 5–5 at the end of the final chukka.
Thirty seconds of extra time were added and Barbados were made to pay dearly.
The grand final match of the series will be played tomorrow afternoon at the Lion Castle grounds. (CH)
