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US team stops the skid, defeats English 8½-6

By Alex Webbe

A 19-goal United States polo team (Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Nic Roldan and
Jeff Hall) delivered a knockout punch to an English foursome (Jack Richardson, Max
Routledge, Richard Le Poer and Tom Morley) on their way to an 8½-6 International Cup
win Sunday afternoon to end a losing streak that dates back to a 1997 Westchester Cup
loss.

“It wasn’t pretty, but we won,” exhorted an exuberant Marc Ganzi after the game. “I
know we can play so much better than that,” he added, “but at least we won.”

Following the defeat of the American women by the English, the men’s team was
anxious to get started. A fast pace was set from the beginning as both teams felt
out one another’s offensive capabilities and defensive weaknesses. The USA team
received ½ goal by handicap from the 20-goal English team.

An English foul put Marc Ganzi at the penalty line in the opening minutes of play where
he converted the shot for a goal. Several shots at goal by both sides went wide and the
USA settled for a narrow 1½ -0 lead after the first seven minutes of play.

England continued to press the attack but powerful backhanders from Jeff Hall and Nic
Roldan turned defense into offense. Jeff Hall scored the game’s first goal from the field
as England was unable to score for the second consecutive chukker. After two periods
of play, the United States led, 2½-0.

Roldan’s first goal of the game came in the third, and had the United States ahead, 3½-
0. Richard Le Poer finally got England on the scoreboard with a goal from the field. A
second Roldan goal ended the scoring for the chukker. The United States left the field
after the third period with a 4½-1 lead.

A determined English foursome returned to the field in the fourth with a renewed
determination. Single goals from Jack Richardson, Max Routledge and Le Poer got
them back into the game, but a pair of penalty conversions from Nic Roldan kept the
United States team in front, 6½-4, with one chukker left to play.

“We just kept pushing,” said a dejected Morley after the game. “We seemed to finally
get it going in the second half,” he added, “but it was a bit too late.”

Hall opened the fifth and final chukker with a penalty goal. Roldan added his fifth goal
of the game for an 8½-4 edge. A late penalty goal from Morley and a goal from the field
from Richardson closed the gap, but time ran out with the US team besting England,

8½-6.

Roldan led the scoring with five goals and was named MVP. Hall scored twice and
Marc Ganzi added a penalty goal for the win.

Richardson and Le Poer each scored a pair of goals for England. Morley and
Routledge added single goals in the loss.

 

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English Women take US ladies to
school in 7-2 win

By Alex Webbe

The English women (Claire Donnelly, Hazel Jackson, Nina Clarkin and Sarah Wiseman)
were clicking on all fronts Sunday afternoon at the Grand Champions Polo Club in
Wellington as they rolled to a 7-2 win over a struggling U. S. team (Melissa Ganzi,
Gillian Johnston, Sunny Hale and Tiffany Busch).

The team’s four-goal captain, Nina Clarkin, took command from the time she rode onto
the field and led a well-coordinated charge for all four chukkers.

“The girls played very well today,” she offered after the match. “They did everything
they were asked to do.”

Nina scored the first goal of the game on a long run followed by a goal from teammate
Sarah Wiseman. The English were ferocious on defense, shutting out the Americans in
the opening chukker for a 2-0 start.

“It felt quite comfortable with then on the field,” said Nina of her teammates. “For years
the English women’s team was the same old lineup, but it was wonderful to play with
three young and talented players,” she added.

Claire Donnelly opened the second chukker with a goal from the field before Sunny
Hale finally got the U. S. team on the scoreboard with a penalty conversion, but they
trailed 3-1 and there was no let up by the English. Sarah Wiseman struck again with
two more goals and the chukker ended with England riding a 5-1 lead.

Penalties seemed to be the only offense that the U. S. team could muster, with Sunny
Hale converting another 30-yard penalty shot. Sarah Wiseman scored her fourth goal
of the game to end the period with a four goal English advantage, 6-2.

A disciplined English lineup continued to set the pace with Claire Donnelly scoring the
final goal of the game in the 7-2 win.

Sarah Wiseman and Hazel Jackson spoke glowingly of the leadership of Clarkin on the
field.

“She makes it so easy to do your job,” said Wiseman. “You know exactly what she
wants and you do it.”

“After all, she’s four-goals,” Hazel added. “You had better listen to what she says,” she
laughed.

Sarah Wiseman led all scoring with four goals (one on penalty shot) and received MVP
honors for her efforts. Claire Donnelly added two goals and Nina Clarkin scored once.

Sunny Hale accounted for both of the U. S. goals in a losing effort.

Rapsodia, a six-year-old Bay mare played by Nina Clarkin and owned by Melissa Ganzi
was named Best Playing Pony.