Harilela dominate at the Thai Polo Open. The first 14 goal tournament hosted by the Thai Polo Club proved a resounding success, attracting 7 teams from all around the South East Asia region and featuring the skills of Princes, dignitaries and professional players alike. The Mercedes-Benz and B.Grimm Thai Polo Open was the first of a series of 5 tournaments to be held in the region forming the coveted Malaysian League, brain child of HRH Prince Abdullah, captain of the legendary Royal Pahang polo team.
Well over 150 world class polo ponies were drafted in and based at the Thai Polo Club for the two week period over which the tournament ran. Spectators were treated to brilliant displays of horsemanship and stick work by Argentinean stars Gerardo Manzini (7), Manuel Crespo (7), Gaston Moore (7), Raul Laplacette (6), Carlos Pando (6) Manolo Fernandez-Llorente, and others.
Teams thwarted in the early rounds included the RMPA quartet of professional players from Malaysia, featuring the flamboyant Edham Shaharuddin (4) and the reliable Shaik Reismann (3). They were a formidable force, and played a wonderful open style which kept them in contention with some other teams of higher handicap.
B.Grimm-Insead started the tournament strongly, with the power house of their two Argentinean professionals controlling the proceedings, and feeding long passes to their number 1, Gary Tiernan, who played well above his 0 handicap in this his first 14 goal run. Claudia Zeisberger, the solo lady player of the competition, showed what girl power really means with some determined and courageous riding. Perhaps their lack of experience at this level became their undoing as the heat was turned up.
The Bunga Raya side had the misfortune of having, many substitutions and consequently struggled to find any lasting rhythm. They fought bravely, but seemed to be suffering in their pony power when the pressure really came on.
The host team Thai Polo, led by club chairman Harald Link and featuring ex England captain, Andrew Hine (6), skilfully manoeuvred their way through the early rounds. Young English prospect, Ollie Cudmore (3), proved very effective in front of goal, but their semi-final encounter against Harilela- The Next Level, proved the bridge too far for them.
Harilela’s patron, Aron Harilela, fielded a well organised and well mounted Nacho Gonzalez (6) who directed compatriot Matt Lodder (3) and Pakistani Hissam Hyder (5) with great energy and precision. They claimed their place in the final with a deserved 11 goals to 7 victory over Thai Polo.
The second semi-final was a closer fought match. Royal Pahang had reached this stage comfortably with ‘Dato Mohamed Moiz combining well with the dynamic, hard riding Gaston Moore. However, Sattinder Garcha (2) of the opposing Jogo Elevation team was not to be denied his usual place in the final. Jogo’s Manzini directed his Indian team mate, Simran Shergill, brilliantly and they battled back from a bad start in a thrilling contest to only just overturn their rivals Royal Pahang by 10 goals to 9.
The Finals day brought Bangkok’s high society out to Thai Polo to enjoy a great day’s sport and elaborate lunch in the grand marquee over looking field number 1. The myriad trade stands, pony rides, and other attractions kept the large crowd entertained before polo commenced. The curtain raiser saw the host team of Thai Polo overcome the mighty Royal Pahang to claim 3rd position in the tournament.
Then came the greatly anticipated final between Harilela and Jogo Elevation. Although Jogo fought bravely throughout, the Harilela boys just could do nothing wrong on the day, and everything they tried turned to gold. They ran out convincing winners by 8 goals to 1, although the huge margin did not reflect the true levels of the two teams. A jubilant Aron Harilela, who was also celebrating his birthday, lifted the glorious HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn cup and claimed an emphatic victory in this year’s Thai Open.
