Audemars Piguet, King Power in final
In-form Audemars Piguet took a step closer to retain their crown after edging Sara Story Design 7-6 to set up a final showdown with King Power in the King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament at Somdej Phra Sri Suriyothai Camp here yesterday.
The semi-final matches yesterday were marred by seasonal rainshowers, forcing a large crowd of spectators, most of them hi-so people in fancy dresses and foreigners, to run for cover.
However, the rains did not affect the on-going competition as it resumed shortly, providing battle on the back of the elephants an entertaining fare.
The semi-finals saw Audemars Piguet and King Power deliver victories over a strong Sara Story Design and Kasikorn Bank.
In the first semi-final match, title-holders Audemars Piguet fared well against debutants Sara Story Design. At the start of the match, it looked like the designers from New York would upset the formidable Audemars Piguet by taking the upper hand initially.
Audemars captain Peter Prentice was strengthened by the talented Kalaan brothers, Angaad and Uday. Angad provided a number of long passes, making it easy for Prentice to score for the team.
Angad then pulled clear of the rivals and put away a beautifully timed goal with ease, highlighting his solid polo skills. By the end of the encounter, the inexperience of the Sara Story Design team showed, allowing hot-favourites Audemars Piguet a closely-contested 7-6 win and a final berth.
The second semi-final match saw King Power taking on Kasikorn Bank. It proved to be a nail-biter. King Power came out with plenty of pace and aggression, pushing the veteran Kasikorn Bank team, consisting of captain James Manclark, Alistair Archibald and Michael Godwin, to a mid-field role. The greater experience of captain Tom Claytor and his Thai team-mates Nattapong Pratumlee and Thanasin Chuawangkham showed when it came to the crunch as they ran out 5-2 winners.
Today, the final will take place at 4pm. The classification matches will be held earlier in the day.
