Home and abroad
Reports
South Africa – Formosa 12-Goal, Kurland Polo Club
Black Bears win on South African debut Photographs by Christy Strever
The Plettenberg Bay Christmas polo season concluded with the high-energy Formosa 12-goal final at Kurland. The 2011/2012 season has already been a huge success, with team numbers back up to the high levels that Kurland enjoyed at the club’s peak. To raise the bar, Black Bears entered the fray for their first excursion to South Africa and ran out 6-5½ winners in the Formosa. Black Bears got off to a bad start in the tournament with a loss against Kurland. However, the Bears bounced back and proceeded to win their next three games to reach the final against Mablestone. Mablestone, featuring Buster Mackenzie and his son Mike, tried hard to prevent the Bears from unleashing their quick attacks in the first two chukkas, with the phrase “and the whistle blows” heard from the commentator far too many times for the crowds liking. Mablestone went into the second half 3½-3 up and looked to be on course for victory before a turning point in the third chukka brought the game to life. As Mablestone’s Brad Mallet took the ball to goal to stretch the lead, Du Plessis hit a huge back hand off the goal-line and Black Bears went down the other end to score. The advantage kept swinging by half goals and it was only in the last 30 seconds that Jean du Plessis scored a 40-yard penalty to put the game away. Buster Mackenzie was named MVP and Leo Baxter’s pony, Arabian Jewel,
Jean du Plessis, Brad Mallet, Vaughn Richardson, Guy Schwarzenbach and Mike Mackenzie in action at Kurland
played by Alfonso Pieres won the best playing pony prize. The Formosa Cup 12-goal was played in place of the South African Open, which has now been moved to Easter and raised to an 18-goal level.
Chile – Abierto de Chile
u T eams Black Bears (13): Guy Schwarzenbach 2; Alfonso Pieres 3; Jean du Plessis 6; Dirk Van Reenen 2 Mablestone (11): Mike Mackenzie 0; Brad Mallet 3; Buster Mackenzie 6; Vaughn Richardson 2 Pablo MacDonough was beaten in the final in Chile
Victory for Verfrut Chile’s biggest tournament, the 22-goal Abierto de Chile (Chilean Open), took place from 21-23 December. Verfrut defeated HSBC-Casa Silva 13-12 in the final to take home the trophy. Despite HSBC Casa Silva featuring the highest handicapped player in the tournament – 10-goaler Pablo MacDonough – the strong combination of José Donoso and David “Pelon” Stirling helped secure victory for Verfrut. Polo Times, January/February 2012 57
PT p56-57 H&A 1 JOS MB JM PJ.indd 3
20/1/12 17:08:35