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NZ and SA earn spots at FIP World Finals
Both teams produced an exciting, fast running polo match in fantastic weather at Clevedon, in front of a crowd of 10,000.
The Australians delivered an extra strong effort after their heavy defeat by South Africa in the semi-finals on Saturday. Robert Ballard was brought into the Australian team and added a lot of strength to their defence with his ability to hit the ball long and hard.
New Zealand Captain Craig Wilson suffered a nasty cut to his forehead after coming into contact with an Australian polo mallet. This injury did not deter him, but appeared to spur him on.
A brave opening by the Australians gave them a 3-1 lead at the end of the second chukka, but by half time the New Zealanders had staged an exciting comeback to earn a 5-3 lead.
In the earlier match South Africa continued on their winning way with a 14-7½ goal victory over India. The South Africans' young super star Nachi du Plessis was in outstanding form, scoring 5 goals and exhibiting some amazing stick-work and horsemanship. Also solid for the South Africans was Captain Gareth Evans playing at back, and the young forward duo Tom de Bruin and David du Plessis were far too quick for the Indian defence.
The Indian team fought their way back into the match late in the third chukka with three goals, but with the South Africans already ten goals up, a win was out of their reach. Undeterred, the Indian team fought on until the final moment of the game.
The strong South African win saw the team the undefeated winners of the World Cup D Zone Final. New Zealand's second placed team will accompany the South Africans to the Federation of International Polo World Championships in Mexico in September 2007.
New Zealand 7 – Australia 7
Scorers:
South Africa 14 - India 7½
Scorers:
4 March
The New Zealand polo team secured a place in the FIP 2007 World Finals yesterday with a dramatic 7-all draw against arch enemies Australia. This draw combined with two previous wins gave them enough points to take the spot.
Michael Henderson (NZ)
NZ captain Craig Wilson
New Zealand: Craig Wilson - 5, David Miller - 1, Michael Henderson - 1
Australia: Robert Ballard - 3, Dirk Gould - 2, Matty Grimes - 2
South Africa; Nachi du Plessis – 5, Tom de Bruin – 4, David du Plessis – 3, Gareth Evans – 2
India: Angad Kalaan – 4, Tarun Sirohi – 1, Manupal Godara – 1, Vishal Chauhan - 1 + penalty ½ awarded