53
follow @hurlinghampolo
KIHIKIHI POLO CLUB
I N T E R N A T I O N A L P O L O T E S T , K I H I K I H I P O L O C L U B , N G A R A K A U , W A I K A T O , N E W Z E A L A N D , F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
A C T I O N
I N T E R N A T I O N A L P O L O T E S T
Piquet Hill New Zealand triumphed over Fullerton AG England in an exciting
game to mark International Polo Day, writes Jemima Wilson
On Saturday 11 February, the International
Test Match took place at the Kihikihi Polo
Club's Nga Rakau Polo Ground in rural
Waikato, New Zealand, a region rich in
equestrian sports that has been known as
the ‘Home of Champions’ for many years.
In a thrilling match, Piquet Hill New
Zealand Polo team clinched a win in the
dying moments of the six-chukka test match
against Fullerton AG England when Craig
Wilson converted a penalty ending the game
with nine goals to England’s eight.
The final chukka had all the spectators
on the edge of their seats as England came
out with a two-goal lead. However, Piquet Hill
New Zealand – Kit Brooks (4), Craig Wilson
(6), John Paul Clarkin (7), Glenn Sherriff (5)
– showed determination and shrewd
teamwork to pull the score back to a draw.
England gave up penalties, which enabled
the Kiwis to claw back the two-goal lead, and
Sherriff, playing at back for New Zealand,
was awarded the Player of the Test.
Fullerton AG England – Jack Richardson
(6), Ollie Cudmore (5), Max Charlton (7),
James Harper (6) – demonstrated great
enthusiasm and determination throughout
the game, and those who attended the test
match admired their passion, willpower,
teamwork, horsemanship and ball skills
with great speed.
The New Zealand Kihikihi teammade
every effort to achieve a favourable line-up
of ponies for them to play. Everyone
anticipated a frenzy behind the scenes
with grooms running around ready to present
ponies for a 7th chukka when a contentious
penalty in the goal mouth was ruled in
New Zealand's favour by the third man.
Despite concluding the match on penalty
goals, New Zealand came out victorious in
an exciting and fast-paced game.
Jack Richardson of England
looks back as New Zealand's
John Paul Clarkin is chased
by James Harper
