Polo test to Australia

Press, 23 February 1987, Page 9

Polo test to Australia

PA Auckland A magnificent effort in the first chukka gave Australia a 7-6 win over New Zealand in their polo test at Clevedon, just north of Auckland, yesterday. New Zealand dashed to a 30 lead, in the first chukka. A 60-metre penalty by No 4 Robbie Saunders was followed by a goal from John Walker then Saunders scored a second goal.

The . New Zealanders scored a fourth when Glynn Henderson fastened on to a big hit by Walker.

Australia gained its first points with a field goal from captain and No 3, Jamie Mackay. In the third chukka the Australians crept closer when Stewart Gilmore bagged the first of his four goals. Mackay crashed home a penalty in the fourth chukka. He then hit another from the halfway mark, following it through for the field goal to level the score at 4-4. New Zealand struck back immediately when Morrinsville farmer Tony Devcich, set up by Walker, put one under his pony’s neck.

In the sixth and final chukka it seemed New Zealand’s test, especially when Devcich hit home a penalty to give the home side a 6-4 advantage. Mackay hit a goal pylon and Gilmore was right behind him to crash home the goal. Gilmore was on target for his second goal of the chukka to level at 6-6.

With extra time seeming a certainty, the Australian No 1, Peter White, put in a big sideline effort and Gilmore was centre field to pick up the shot to clinch the test for the visitors.