| AUSTRALIA DEFEAT SOUTH AFRICA IN A HOTLY CONTESTED 2011 BMW SERIES
The second test of the 2011 BMW International Polo Series between South Africa and Australia was held at the Inanda Club, Sandton on Sunday 21st August. The match was played in fantastic weather conditions on a glorious day in Johannesburg, in stark contrast to the rain soaked Test, held the weekend before, at the Durban Shongweni Club. Australia continued where they left off at Shongweni by defeating the hosts South Africa 9-7 in a match that kept the hordes of spectators enthralled throughoutThe weather conditions couldn’t have been more perfect for polo or in greater contrast to the weather in Durban the previous week. The teams were greeted to fantastic sunshine with no wind which worked in favour of both teams. The first chukka started at a frantic pace as South Africa applied early pressure with Russell Watson playing a prominent role. However, it was the Australians who took the lead and then extended it going up 2-0 through two Matt Grimes penalties. South Africa reduced the deficit through a penalty of their own with Watson scoring for the hosts and the chukka ending 2-1 in favour of the visiting Australians.The first half was a frenetic affair with scrappy play and several stoppages but action aplenty, which saw the third chukka ending when South African stalwart Russell Watson levelled the game at 5-5 on the stroke of half-time
At the beginning of the 4th chukka the Australians began exerting pressure on the hosts and took a firm grip of the match as Ballard scored directly from the start. The Australians never looked back as the hosts could only twice more in the last 3 periods, leaving Australia to celebrate a 9-7 victory in Inanda and allowing them to clinch the series.
“With fantastic weather, outstanding fashion and the who’s who of South Africa as a backdrop, the only thing missing from the second test of the series was a win for South Africa” says Bodo Donauer, Managing Director of BMW South Africa. “Nonetheless, the polo was hard fought and fast-paced and hopefully delivered to the around 3000 spectators in attendance the same emotion they would experience driving a BMW; pure unbridled joy.”
SAPA President Walter Grindrod commented, “It was a joyful day of polo that was enjoyed by all in attendance. Pity about the result as South Africa didn’t win the test match but the sport of polo triumphed and was ultimately the winner. A beautiful day, with beautiful people watching a beautiful sport we couldn’t have asked for more.” he concluded.
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