ACCESS Bank Fifth Chukker over the weekend edged out MRS to retain the coveted Charity Shield at the UNICEF Charity Shield International Polo Tournament at the lawns of the Kangimi Resort, Kaduna.The tournament took off to a blistering start two weeks ago and came to a thrilling climax over the weekend with the best players in the country and their foreign counterparts doing battles of supremacy at the prestigious resort.Within three days of explosive battles, the four teams with a high-goal showdown narrowed to two finalists, the Access Bank team eventually edging out the ambitious MRS12-10 to maintain its Charity Shield supremacy for the third year running.Living up to its competitive tradition, this year's Charity Shield final was a neck-to-neck confrontation with MRS, which parades Bashir Dantata (Jnr), Lance Watson, Fredrico Podoski and Brett Watson jumping to 3-0 lead in the opening chukker.But its lead soon fizzled out after a strong showing by the quartet of Adamu Atta, Ezekiel Martinez, Silvestre Donovan and Musty Fashinro in Access Bank colours drew level in the second chukker.The two rivals, who are past winners of the glittering shield, gave the highly anticipatory crowd plenty to cheer, as the lead changed hands regularly, with MRS looking menacingly close to cooking up a surprise upset.The decisive fifth chukker put paid to MRS ambition as the defending champions pulled a head with sublime displays from Martinez, Fashinro and Donovan, who scored the last goal to give Access Bank Fifth Chukker its third Charity Shield title in three years.With a glittering shield and a whopping $20,000 winners-take-all cash prize in its kitty, Access Bank Fifth Chukker was truly in its best, defeating a record field in an international polo extravaganza that is reputed as the biggest in the continent.The fiercely fought final was watched by a discerning crowd that included the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke, who represented the Vice President Namadi Sambo as the special guest of honour, and the Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Ramalan Yero.Others who witnessed the dramatic grand finale included members of the National Assembly, first class emirs, UNICEF officials and the bank's delegation led by the General Manager, North, Speedwell Ngwoka, and Acting Zonal Head, Kaduna, Joseph Ikpaanyam.Campaign for the high stake Charity Shield, which is the biggest prize on offer, got underway last Thursday with four equally matched high teams parading top professionals from Argentina and South Africa, showcasing their awesome skills.In the opening game, defending champion, Access Bank Fifth Chukker, began from where it left off last year, defeating the highly ambitious Keffi Ponys 8-6 on its way to winning all its games.Former champion, Lagos MRS, which was seeking its second title in five years, outpaced its archrival, Kaduna Barbados, 9-8 in a fierce opening game to book its final ticket.
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