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Zimbabwe wins ladies polo final against Jamaica
17 Feb 2011 at 14:33hrs | Views
Zimbabwe turned the tables on Jamaica to win the final of the Tri-Nation Ladies Polo Tournament 41/2 to 4 at the St Ann Polo Club, Drax Hall, on Saturday afternoon.
Zimbabwe thus avenged their opening-round loss to Jamaica on Sunday, February 6, at the Kingston Polo Club, Caymanas Estates. On that occasion, Jamaica came from behind twice to clip the Zimbabweans 4 to 31/2, thanks to a hat-trick from Rachel Turner. On Saturday, it was captain Lesley-Ann Fong Yee who starred for the Jamaica team by scoring all four goals, but to her disappointment, it turned out to be a losing effort.
As was the case in the first match against Zimbabwe, and also against the United States, Jamaica found themselves trailing in the early stages with Zimbabwe taking a 11/2 lead in receipt of a half-point handicap from their higher-ranked opponents.
The visitors scored through Diana Jack early in the first chukka, but Fong Yee replied quickly for Jamaica with a scorching solo effort.
Opposing captain Sherri-Lyn Hensman then made it 21/2 to 1 in the closing stages of the first chukka.
However, as the match progressed, Zimbabwe maintained the advantage to lead by half-a-point (31/2 to 3) going into the fourth and final chukka.
Both teams scored
Although both teams scored during this period, Jamaica missed what would have been the winning goal with 30 seconds remaining.
A shot by Turner, which had goal written all over it, hit a bumpy patch on the field and veered off target as it just missed the goal.
Jack, who was named the MVP of the final, scored two goals, as did Hensman. The Zimbabwean team was completed by Leonora De Ferranti and Hilary Campbell, while in addition to Fong Yee and Turner, Jamaica fielded Michele Subaran and Susan Wates.
Hensman said she was happy for the win, bearing in mind that Zimbabwe lost the first match to Jamaica by a narrow margin.
"We knew what to expect from the Jamaicans and were better prepared this time," she said.
"True, it was another hard-fought contest, but we showed great resilience to stave off the Jamaicans after taking an early lead," she added.
Fong Yee said: "We expected them to be tougher opponents, but once again we fell behind from early and our final surge proved just short."
In the consolation final, Coyaba, with three goals from the American Tiffany Busch, defeated Rough Riders 5-4. Karen Reese, the USA captain, scored three goals for the losers.
Jack, the MVP, was presented with the Hearts of Diamond necklace by Prem Matahni of Jewels and Time in Ocho Rios, while each member of the Zimbabwean team received Veuve Clicquot champagne courtesy of Wray & Nephew Wines, from brand manager, Raihn Sibblies. The sponsors were ICWI, The Jamaica Pegasus, Toby's Resort in MoBay, Chukka Blue, Jewels and Time and J. Wray & Nephew Wines.
Zimbabwe thus avenged their opening-round loss to Jamaica on Sunday, February 6, at the Kingston Polo Club, Caymanas Estates. On that occasion, Jamaica came from behind twice to clip the Zimbabweans 4 to 31/2, thanks to a hat-trick from Rachel Turner. On Saturday, it was captain Lesley-Ann Fong Yee who starred for the Jamaica team by scoring all four goals, but to her disappointment, it turned out to be a losing effort.
As was the case in the first match against Zimbabwe, and also against the United States, Jamaica found themselves trailing in the early stages with Zimbabwe taking a 11/2 lead in receipt of a half-point handicap from their higher-ranked opponents.
The visitors scored through Diana Jack early in the first chukka, but Fong Yee replied quickly for Jamaica with a scorching solo effort.
Opposing captain Sherri-Lyn Hensman then made it 21/2 to 1 in the closing stages of the first chukka.
However, as the match progressed, Zimbabwe maintained the advantage to lead by half-a-point (31/2 to 3) going into the fourth and final chukka.
Both teams scored
Although both teams scored during this period, Jamaica missed what would have been the winning goal with 30 seconds remaining.
A shot by Turner, which had goal written all over it, hit a bumpy patch on the field and veered off target as it just missed the goal.
Jack, who was named the MVP of the final, scored two goals, as did Hensman. The Zimbabwean team was completed by Leonora De Ferranti and Hilary Campbell, while in addition to Fong Yee and Turner, Jamaica fielded Michele Subaran and Susan Wates.
Hensman said she was happy for the win, bearing in mind that Zimbabwe lost the first match to Jamaica by a narrow margin.
"We knew what to expect from the Jamaicans and were better prepared this time," she said.
"True, it was another hard-fought contest, but we showed great resilience to stave off the Jamaicans after taking an early lead," she added.
Fong Yee said: "We expected them to be tougher opponents, but once again we fell behind from early and our final surge proved just short."
In the consolation final, Coyaba, with three goals from the American Tiffany Busch, defeated Rough Riders 5-4. Karen Reese, the USA captain, scored three goals for the losers.
Jack, the MVP, was presented with the Hearts of Diamond necklace by Prem Matahni of Jewels and Time in Ocho Rios, while each member of the Zimbabwean team received Veuve Clicquot champagne courtesy of Wray & Nephew Wines, from brand manager, Raihn Sibblies. The sponsors were ICWI, The Jamaica Pegasus, Toby's Resort in MoBay, Chukka Blue, Jewels and Time and J. Wray & Nephew Wines.
Source - iol
