 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Kiwis off to good start at FIP World Cup polo
Story and pictures: Brett O'Callaghan
The New Zealand polo team made the perfect start to the Zone D playoffs with a 13-7 victory over India. India struck trouble in the 2nd chukka when their back Simran Shergill injured his hand and had to be replaced by Tarun Sirohi.
New Zealand captain Craig Wilson scored over half of his team goals in a superb performance. He was ably backed up by Robert Watson who got through a lot of work in the mid field which cleared the way for his Captain.
At half time New Zealand held a 8-4 led. Manupal Godara was in every attack for India. The slick teamwork and stick work by the men in Black was the deciding factor in the match.
In the second match of the day Australia just got the win 7-6 against a very determined Pakistan who held the led for the first 2 chukkas. Then Australia's Andrew Williams struck back with 2 penalties and a field goal to get his team back into the match. The score see- saw along in the middle chukkas with only a goal in it at all times.
Pakistan had a 6-5 lead when they rode out for the final chukka. Andrew Grimes evened the scores for Australia and then Dirk Gould ran the length of the field with the ball to score a sensational goal to put Australia in front. Pakistan's Hissam Ali Hyder who had played brilliantly all match had the chance with 10 seconds left in the match to draw the match with an open goal penalty, unfortunalty for Hissam his Penalty hit was a hooked shot which went left as did the chance of drawing the match.
Tomorrow sees Pakistan back to play South Africa at 2:30pm at Smiths Lawn, Ryburn Park, Clevedon.
The 50 world-class players representing Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, India and New Zealand are competing to win a place in the FIP World Cup final to be played in Mexico in September 2007. The players arrived in Auckland last week, and spent the weekend choosing from more than 150 ponies, all provided by host nation New Zealand. The Zone D play-offs continue in Clevedon every afternoon this week (except Friday) with the final day play on Sunday 4th March. Admission is free weekdays, and everyone is welcome to come along and get behind one of the teams.
Australia. Neil Craig, Dirk Gould , Matty Grimes, Andrew Williams
26 February
Played at Smiths Lawn, Ryburn Park, Clevedon. Auckland. New Zealand
Craig Wilson
Action in the Australia v Pakistan match.
Match. New Zealand v India and Pakistan v Australia
Score. New Zealand 13 v India 7
Pakistan 6 v Australia 7
Craig Wilson
India's Manupal Godara and Michael Henderson
New Zealand. Michael Henderson, Robert Watson, Craig Wilson, Tom Hunt.
India. Abby Pathak, Angad Kalaan, Manupal Godara, Simran Shergill replaced by Tarun Sirohi.
Pakistan. Ahmed Tiwana, Raja Samiullah, Hissam Ali Hyder, Shah Qubilai Alam
Played Won Draw Loss Points
New Zealand 1 1 2
Australia 1 1 2
South Africa
India 1 0 0
Pakistan 1 0 0
