Fine S.I. debut for O’Sullivan

Press, 12 November 1981, Page 25

Fine S.I. debut for O’Sullivan

A newcomer to the South Island polo team, Dennis O’Sullivan, celebrated his debut with four goals as his team beat the North Island, 8-4, in the first of three matches in the Thibenzole series. As a pipe-opener for the Hagley Trophy, which will be at stake on Friday, the South will be well satisfied with its deserved win, but the North team seems certain to improve and was working together better towards the end of yesterday’s match. The teams were:— North Island: Douglas Duncan (1), Gary Sherratt (2), Warner Wilder (3). South Island: O’Sullivan (1), Alan Calder (2), Roddy Wood (3). The first chukka contained little in the way of excitement as both teams settled down. Wood was in action early, taking a hard fall from his pony then missing with a clearing shot. However, he recovered in time to clear the ball from his goalmouth. Wilder, a New Zealand reserve, proved a rugged customer, riding his opposition aggressively and clearing well. He just missed with a hard-hit 80-yard penalty shot. South scored first when Calder broke away and Wood capitalised with an accurate shot. That was the only goal of the first chukka. Wood increased South’s lead early in the second chukka with an angled goal and South scored again from the roll-in when O’Sullivan was left unmarked and scored with ease. That goal had immediate effect on the North team which went on attack' and scored through a Duncan goal after Sherratt had sent the ball on a true course. South had the better of the chukka and O'Sullivan was unlucky to hit a pylon and the ball -was cleared. Soon after, a shot by Wood also

struck a pylon but the ball ricoched into the goal-mouth and O’Sullivan was in position to score South’s fourth goal. The half-time score was 4-1. After some indifferent defence by South, North scored the first goal of the third chukka. Duncan, on his fast chestnut pony by Copenhagen, put the ball on course with two straight hits and Sherratt capped off the movement. But the thickset O'Sflllivan answered with an individual goal, one which demonstrated his strength and skill as he fought his way through the three northern players. Wilder, the best of the North team, narrowed the

gap to 5-3 when he converted a 30-yard penalty shot with the goal left open. South quickly put the issue beyond doubt when the final chukka started. North made defensive errors and O’Sullivan scored his fourth goal from such a lapse and Calder, subdued for most of the game, scored with an acutely-angled shot from the fence. Down 3-7, North played some of its best polo and Wilder was rewarded with his team’s fourth goal. North missed some good chances in the final chukka and the last say went to South when Wood scored from a 30-yard penalty with only a minute remaining.