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Presented by BMW
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The glamour and excitement of International Polo hit South Africa on 28th February this year with the launch of the inaugural BMW International Polo Series in Paarl in the Western Cape. The Val de Vie Estate was the focus of the social and sporting calendar when the 14-goal South African Polo team took on reigning FIP World Cup Champions, Chile, in the first 14-goal International. South Africa unfortunately narrowly lost to Chile by 5 goals to 7 (see match report below).
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| THE TEAMS: |
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| These were: |
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SOUTH AFRICA
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CHILE
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| 1. Tinker Makhane (0) |
1. Maximiliano Silva (1) |
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| 2. Richard Pohl (4) |
2. Martin Valenzuela (1) |
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| 3. Guy Watson (5) |
3. Alejandro Vial (6) (Captain) |
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| 4. Gareth Evans (5) (Captain) |
4. Matias Vial (6) |
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Reserves
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Reserve
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| Paul Matoung (0) |
Andres Mayol (4) |
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| Bradley MacGibbon (4) |
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| Doug Lund (5) |
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| MATCH REPORT – BMW INTERNATIONAL POLO – VAL de VIE 2009 |
| South Africa vs Chile |
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Chile, the current FIP World Cup champions, were up against a young South African team which for the first time in SAPA’s history, included a development player. Gareth Evans (Capt) Guy Watson and Richard Pohl although all young players have all represented SA previously providing the team with a blend of youth and experience. For Tinker Makhane, the occasion was a daunting task having never played at this level before. He acquitted himself well after a nervous start!!
Chile’s line up included their two World Cup stars, Alejandro Vial and his younger brother Matias, both accomplished six goal players. The remainder of their team consisted of two young one goal players aged 15 and 17 respectively.
The match started at a cracking pace on the beautiful Val de Vie pitch with SA piling on the pressure and scoring twice in the first period to Chile’s lone penalty. Guy Watson scored a classic dribbling goal to open SA’s account followed by an Evans penalty. Chile replied with an open goal penalty struck by Matias Vial. Chile seemed to be uncertain of the fast field surface but settled down in the second chukka with a goal from the other Vial. SA matched this with another Watson goal.
The third period was the decisive one with Chile piling on the pressure. Goals from the two Vial’s and their 15 year old number one Max Silva with only one in reply from SA’s Rich Pohl swung the pendulum in Chile’s favour. In addition SA were dealt a severe blow when captain Gareth Evans who was having a decisive influence went down falling badly on his shoulder and having to be replaced by reserve Doug Lund. At the conclusion of the third Chile were in the lead for the first time in the game.
The fourth period produced some tight exciting polo with Lund adapting well to the injured Evans’s ponies. Both sides pushed hard with Chile winning the battle with yet another Vial goal. SA were now two goals off the pace and played hard to reduce the deficit.
The final period was another tight encounter with only two goals being scored – Alejandro Vial for Chile and Doug Lund with a magnificent lofted penalty for South Africa. Chile ran out winners by two goals much to the delight of their small band of supporters. South Africa, on the other hand, let an opportunity slip after missing a number of field goals and having the measure of Chile for most of the match.
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