South Africa Wins In Polo Series Debut

           On Saturday, September 15^th at 4pm, the Newport International Polo Series hosted its fiercest competitors this season in the inaugural match against South Africa, one of world’s polo powerhouses.  The weather cleared in time for a thrilling dual, decided at the wire with one second on the clock, with South Africa winning 8-7 at Glen Farm on Rte. 138 in Portsmouth.

            Playing for South African were some of their highest rated players including Captain Selby Williamson playing in the #4 position, Victor von Maltzan, playing #1, Candice Miles and Louie Le Fevre sharing the #2 position and James Kane-Berman at #3, all from the Jurassic Park Polo Club   The USA squad was Jim Garner at #1, Chip Stiegler at #2, Dan Keating at #3 and Jim DeAngelis at #4.

           While the visiting team had a 3-goal handicap advantage, the match was played on the flat to account for the visitors' playing on borrowed horses.  Le Fevre was the first to score for South Africa in the opening chukker with a penalty shot conversion, but USA's Stiegler tied it up just 40 seconds later, and DeAngelis converted a penalty shot for USA to take the lead 2-1 at the end of the first period.  SA's Kane-Berman tied the score with a hard-fought goal half-way through the second chukker, which held up through the end of the period, leaving it tied 2-2.  South Africa put more pressure on in the third chukker with a penalty shot conversion by Von Maltzen, followed by another Kane-Berman goal to secure the lead 4-2 at the half.      

           After a thorough repair of the field by the enthusiastic crowd of 1,500 devotees, undaunted by a morning rain shower and familiar with the tradition of half-time divot stomping, play resumed with an action-packed fourth period where SA captain Williamson scored a pair of beauties to widen the gap over USA, but Garner and Keating both rallied with goals for USA to keep victory within reach, ending the chukker 6-4.  Miles padded SA's lead just seconds into the fifth chukker, but DeAngelis began a comeback drive for USA with the next two goals, followed by a goal from teammate Stiegler to tie the score, but a USA penalty with only 28 seconds left in the period was successfully converted by Von Maltzen for a one point advantage for SA, 8-7.  The crowd was on its feet for the sixth chukker, encouraging team USA with a stadium wave while several penalty shots were narrowly missed and the two teams battled for the victory.   As the final seconds ticked away on the scoreboard in the backdrop, DeAngelis had a breakaway for the goal which appeared certain to send the match into sudden death overtime until Williamson made the save inches from the goal line, one second before the buzzer sounded, for the 8-7 victory for South Africa.

           South Africa has become an international polo powerhouse in recent years, producing some of the world's top players.  Polo was introduced to South Africa by British cavalry regiments garrisoned there in the late 19th century. The first recorded tournament took place at King Williamstown in 1885. The South African Polo Association was formed in 1905 and there are about 38 clubs in South Africa and about 400 players, several of whom are world-class professionals.

            USA team captain Dan Keating states "We are thrilled to have the South African team added to our lineup this year..  Our die-hard fans enjoyed a challenging match,” and adds “Polo is truly an international sport, played in over 80 countries around the globe, and we are honored to have teams traveling such great distances to play in Newport," adds Keating.

           During the two-hour match, the weekly door prize of a Bose Wave Stereo, courtesy of Bose and WCRB Classical Radio, was won by a Chappaqua, NY woman.  The match was followed by a trophy presentation of the inaugural USA vs. South Africa cup and the naming of the Best Playing Pony, Zima.

           Newport International Polo Series is nearing the end of the ’07 season, with matches every Saturday through September at Glen Farm in Portsmouth, RI.   Visiting teams this season have come from as far away as Egypt, Scotland, France, Ireland, Spain, Jamaica, England and South Africa, as well as teams from the NE circuit of polo clubs.  Tickets to the matches are sold at the gate on the day of the match.  Tailgate picnics on the lawn are welcome with field-side admission of $10.00 for adults, and children 15 & under are free.  Box seating in the Subscribers Enclosure is also available at the gate.

            The Polo Series takes place on the polo grounds of Glen Farm, 715 East Main Road (Route 138) in Portsmouth, RI, six miles north of downtown Newport.   Glen Farm is a historic property owned by the Town of Portsmouth comprising the last 100 picturesque acres of what was once a vast manorial farm from the Gilded Age whose colonial settlement dates back to the 1600's!

This is the 16^th season of the Newport International Polo Series, which is sponsored by the Carnegie Abbey Club, WCRB Classical Radio, NBC Channel 10, the Newport Daily News,  Lufthansa, Continental Airlines, the Polo Lounge, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Shreve Crump and Low Jewelers, Jake Kaplans Ltd, and Bose.  For more information about partnering with the Polo Series, click here.

            Glen Farm is the remaining 100 acres of  a 700-acre manorial farm whose history dates back to the 1600's.  Its classical stone barns from the Gilded Age and its park-like grounds were rescued from ruins and rehabilitated by the Newport Polo Club's founder in the early 90's and thrive today as a vital equestrian and community recreational property and jewel of Portsmouth.  Read about its fascinating history!