Countback denies NZ place in the playoffs

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The New Zealand polo team, captained by Gisborne’s Glenn Sherriff, narrowly failed to qualify for the bronze-medal playoffs in the Federation International Polo (FIP) Championship at the Sydney Polo Club grounds.

The Kiwis bounced back from an opening-game loss to Chile to beat England 11-8 and followed that with a 9-8 victory over India, but missed out on the playoffs on a countback of goals.

Coming into the game after their 16-1 demolition of India, England were expected to outscore New Zealand after the Kiwis were convincingly beaten 9-2 by defending champions Chile in their opening game in Group B.

Inspired by Sherriff, New Zealand stunned England. Sherriff and Kit Brooks controlled the ball better on a surface that played remarkably well after four games.

The Kiwis also won 17 throw-ins to five by England, who committed 10 fouls to just three by New Zealand.

The game was level, 4-4, after two chukkas, then New Zealand led by one at the break.

“We just had to keep the pressure on England’s two-goalers, Josh Cork and Henry Porter, who ran India ragged in England’s first game,” Brooks said.

A revitalised New Zealand went into the match with India looking for a big win to boost their goal difference and hoping that England lost heavily to Chile (England won 8-5).

England advanced to the third/fourth playoff by virtue of their 16 goals against India.

Despite beating India, the eight goals conceded and England’s win were enough to deny New Zealand a playoff spot.

India led 8-5 in the fourth chukka and 8-5 going into the last chukka. They looked on course for their first win, but the Kiwis staged a sensational comeback, scoring three goals, including an own goal in the last minute.

To cap an outstanding tournament for Sherriff — based in England for six months and New Zealand for six months — his pony was named Champion Pony for this match.

Argentina beat Chile 8-7 in the final, with the winning goal scored in the last 10 seconds. England beat USA 6-5, after extra time, to win the bronze medal.