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Kiwis still in the running - FIP World Cup Polo day 5
Story and pictures: Brett O'Callaghan
Hunt's horse went down and he followed, landing heavily on his head and shoulder. Hunt was temporarily knocked out and after regaining consciousness and movement, was airlifted to Middlemore hospital for further tests and observation.
Due to the combination of the handicap of the New Zealand reserves Robert Watson had to stand down and two new players took the field, David Miller and Lochie Hunter. The game resumed with the fouled Pakistani player Samiullah standing down for the remainder of the chukka and New Zealand receiving a penalty goal.
Hunt's injury spurred the New Zealand team on to a 13 - 6 victory that they desperately required to keep them in contention to qualify for the FIP World Cup final.
New Zealand captain Craig Wilson scored an impressive 8 goals and steered his team to the convincing win.
South Africa continued on their wining way beating Australia, 10 - 4. South Africa has won all three of their matches which should guarantee them one of the two available positions to go onto the FIP World final in Mexico.
South Africa's Nachi du Plessis had an outstanding game, scoring 7 of the 10 goals. The 19 year old and his team dominated the game and at the end of the 3rd chukka it was all but over with South Africa holding a commanding 9 – 1 lead.
Sunday is the final day of play in the FIP World Cup Zone D tournament and a lot hinges on it for New Zealand and India. India play South Africa at 1.30pm and New Zealand meet Australia at 3.30pm. Both games are being played on Fisher Field, Clevedon, South Auckland. Both India and New Zealand need to win their matches to qualify for a place at the FIP world finals.
South Africa 10 – Australia 4
Scorers:
New Zealand 13 – Pakistan 6
Scorers:
3 March
Only 2 ½ minutes into the opening chukka of the Federation of International Polo (FIP) World Cup Zone D match between New Zealand and Pakistan, New Zealand's number 4, Tom Hunt, took a nasty fall when he was fouled by the Pakistani number 2, Raja Samiullah.
NZ v Pakistan
NZ's Craig Wilson.
South Africa; Nachi du Plessis – 7, Tom du Bruin – 3
Australia: Dirk Gould – 3 and Andrew Williams -1
New Zealand: Craig Wilson – 8, Michael Henderson – 2, David Miller – 2, Locke Hunter - 1
Pakistan: Hissam Ali Hyder – 4, Ahah Qubilai Alam – 1, Ahmed Tiwana - 1
