English drub US ladies, 7–2

November 25, 2012 Game Reports 0

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.