Polo: Wanstead A eyeing Wilson Cup final

WINNING START: Wanstead A captain Simon McDonald led his team to victory on day one of the national polo tournament in Hastings. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay polo player Simon McDonald boasts the nickname "Crash" for obvious reasons.

The Wanstead A No 1 and two-goaler thrives on the physical side of the game. However, McDonald didn't get too physical when his team opened their Equissage Wilson Cup campaign at the national Savile Cup tournament in Hastings yesterday with a 5-2 win against Auckland B.

The fact the Auckland side included two timid females in No 1 Ellen Morgenstern and No 2 Indi Bennetto was no doubt a reason as it wouldn't have been a good look for the rugged former Porangahau rugby player to be roughing it up with them. McDonald didn't need to as his team, which also included No 2 Lucas Simcox and English professionals Cody Jones and Mark Deacon in the respective three and four roles, were capitalising on fast breaks and cohesive teamwork in front of goal.

It wasn't easy early on for Wanstead A as the score was 1-all after the first chukka and Auckland A led 2-1 after the second. There were a few mistimed set-up hits from McDonald and co during these periods.

"We were using young horses then and they will be better for the experience from now on. Overall we were happy with the win and we're eyeing Sunday's final ... my calendar is free on that day," McDonald said.

"I don't want to jinx our week but we are sitting on eight wins in a row since we lost our first game of the Wine Country Cup tournament here in Hastings before Christmas."

The score was 2-all after the third chukka and Hawke's Bay led 4-2 after the fourth. Auckland A were guilty of missing five shots on goal.

"That was the result of the pressure we put on them," former Tuki Tuki and Hawke's Bay player McDonald said.

"I've never played in the Wilson Cup before so it would be good to win it."

He scored two of his team's goals and Jones scored three. Auckland B's No 4 and former Gisborne player Glen Armstrong scored both of their goals and he impressed with his defensive work.

It is possible Wanstead A could meet Hawke's Bay A in Sunday's final as Hawke's Bay A opened their campaign with a 5-3 victory against Rangitikei A. Particularly prominent for Hawke's Bay A were No 3 Jonny Coddington and No 4 Aaron Vowles.

A four-goaler, Coddington is Hawke's Bay's best player and the former New Zealand rep displayed the benefits of his near fulltime polo lifestyle in recent years which sees him playing in Britain for six months each year and in New Zealand for the other six months.

A poor second chukka proved costly for Hawke's Bay B when they lost 5-4 to Auckland C in their opening Pryde's Riddiford Levin Cup match against Auckland C. Hawke's Bay B captain and No 2 Jared Thompson said his team must beat Kihikihi A today to have a chance of qualifying for Friday's semifinals.

"We led 3-0 after the first chukka but allowed the Aucklanders to score three unanswered goals in the second. It's important we maintain our intensity for the entire game," Thompson said.

Both teams scored a goal each in the third chukka and the Aucklanders scored the only goal in the fourth. English professional Ollie Jones, who has the No 3 role, scored two goals for the Bay, Thompson scored one and promising 17-year-old and No 1 Monty Wood the other.

Hawke's Bay C proved why they have the favourites' tag in the Wood Trophy division with a 14-3.5 walloping of Birchleigh B from Hawke's Bay. The other game in this division saw the President's All Stars team pip Hawke's Bay D 6-5.

The first Savile Cup match will be played today from 4pm. It will see the Cambridge team of Zane and Alan Browne and Nina and John Paul Clarkin take on the Mystery Creek team of Arthur Morgenstern, Henry Wood, Angus McKelvie and Simon Keyte.