THE EL-AMIN / RUBICON HORSE BATTLE

The match between the national (Nigeria) Polo Champions and Kaduna Georgian Cup holders, EL-AMIN Polo team and the contenders for the cup, Rubicon turned out to be a though nut to  crack.

The encounter started with a 3 goals point to the Rubicon as a result of their lower handicap. Their total team handicap was 13 goals while the Champions, EL-AMIN’s total handicap was 16 goals.

Rubicon seized the opportunity of the difference in goal in having a lead as they scored more goals and the scores rose to 6-3, 8-5, and 10-6 in favour of Rubicon.

EL-AMIN’S attempts to bridge the gap  was rebuffed by the visiting team who know that EL-AMIN was capable of turning the table and could crush them because the Kaduna team owned by Mohammed Babangida + 4 is known for crushing its opponents without mercy and in  no time.

The Polo ground was charged as the fans of the two teams including the special guests in the VIP stand were shouting and screaming with excitement. The wind was wild.

The fans of EL-AMIN became more agitated when the South African hired assassin lost two penalties consecutively in the 3^rd  Chukker but made it up in the 4^th Chukker  in spite of an aggressive challenge by Malik Badamasi which caused the Rubicon player a serious fall from the horse back.

The score stood at 10-7 in favour of Rubicon. It was a case of the offender turning in to the defender on the part of the Champions. However, the EL-AMIN team surged forward in an aggressive manner that portrayed the skill of the combined force of its players. Rubicon with the help of their hired assassin Gonzalez from Argentina were not ready to let go.

In the deadly battle, EL-AMIN scored three consecutive goals to equalize with the goals standing at 10-10. One more goal put the Champions in the lead 11-10 before the contender re-equalized 11-11. The 5^th and 6^th Chukkers proved  to be the deadliest segment of the war as both teams were at each other’s throat. The teams had good horse power and marched each other man to man, horse to horse.

There were no donkeys (spoilt horses) in the march.

Eventually, Rubicon shot to the top as one more goal put them in the lead again bringing the scores to 12-11 until Sku Doma, the young and skillful South African hired Assassin neutralized the Rubicon with another goal in the dead minute of the 6^th Chukker. The match ended at 12-12 goals draw.

There was ecstasy and excitement in the arena when EL-AMIN re-equalized the game.

In that encounter, Bello Buba + 5 proved to the people why he is the best player in Nigeria as he scored several goals. EL-AMIN (Mohammed Babangida +4, Bello Buba + 5, Ibrahim Mohammed + 4, sku Doma +3 ) was not ready to loose its long time prestige and position to Hadi Serika’s Rubicon (Gongales +6, Malik Bada Masi +2  and Jamilu Mohammed  +4).

The two teams are billed to engage each other in another Rumble in the Jungle on Thursday, 17^th November, 2011.