Scotland v's USA Polo 2005

Supported on the day by the Newport International Polo Series only life member Helen Cleary (who claims Irish descent) and by a loyal, small but very vocal band of Scots (including the enclosure waitress - Ginny) - summer finally arrived on the East Coast of the USA on Saturday 4th June and Scotland took the field for the introductions to the sound of "Scot's Wha Hae'" being played loudly over the speaker system (Scotland in RED).

 

 

 

In this - their second outing in the USA - the Scottish team had a lot to do to hang on to their winning record established in 2004. After respective national anthems the ball was put in - Scotland scored in the first minute and thereafter never looked back - finishing the first chukka 2-1 ahead. Being canny - at the Thursday practice they had deliberately pulled their game slightly so when the real game came around on Saturday the Americans were caught by the strength of the Scots' attack. Watch on video here. (Large file warning - broadband recommended, WMP - required)

 

By half time Scotland had established a 5-3 lead. Though by their own admission they were exhausted (!) and hoped they had done enough to keep the US at bay.

 

 

 

During half time we were treated to a marriage under the flags before the happy couple took to the field with the rest of the crowd to carry out the traditional divot stomping - flattening the field for the second half.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite their fears - In the second half the Scots continued to outplay team USA with extremely good defensive play when the American's attacked and which they would quickly turn to their advantage as shown here where they steal the ball quite effectively from the American Captain.

 

During the 5th chukka the American Captain's horse reared spectacularly in a scrimmage in front of the USA's goal and though he stayed mounted - as the horses broke from the mess - James Douglas was dumped by his horse. Un-injured and scrambling to regain his mount among the whirling hooves the umpires stopped play for safety. In the subsequent throw-in team USA defensively rode a Scot off the pack but the rest of the Scot's team got the tap on the ball, establishing the line towards the American's goal and team USA could only follow along as Scotland carefully tapped the ball along the ground and between the American's posts to give Scotland their 7th goal to finish the 5th chukka 7-3 in the lead. Watch on video here.
(Large file warning - broadband recommended, WMP - required)

 

4 goals in 7 minutes are not unknown at Newport and with the Scots now REALLY exhausted potentially the American's could have leveled the score. Team USA had kept fresher horses for the finish - but the players were tired too and the Scots hung on grimly through the last chukka - playing the best defence they could on their shaking legs and tired horses. USA made a determined assault on the score - putting in two - but Scotland had done enough beforehand and time ran out with the score 7-5 in favour of the Scots. A very small portion of the crowd went wild - the rest politely clapped!

 

As is traditional at Newport - the teams ride a gladatorial circuit to receive the plaudits of the crowd who though disappointed at the USA's performance gave the Scots a well deserved series of "high five's" as they toured the field - Saltire flying.

 

 

At the prize giving the Scots were presented with their mementos of the day and they gifted various bottles of malt to the American team and those who had been kind enough to loan them horses. They also voted Umprie Dave Bullis's horse "Fugitivo" Most Valuable Pony loaned to the visiting team.

The Scots
1. Dietrich Zank (Perth Polo Club)
2. Jamie Douglas - Captain (Edinburgh Polo Club)
3. James Douglas (Edinburgh Polo Club)
4. Hiro Suzuki (Edinburgh University Polo Club)
(So he's from the Philippines but his accent is broad Scots!)
Scots "Manager" on the day - Ed Pockney
The Scots were sponsored by "The Flat Company"

Team USA
1. "Gentleman" Jim Garner
2. Mark Wright
3. Dan Keating - Captain
4. Jacki Shore/Jim Zynsky

Umpires
Dave Bullis
Dave Markell

Commentary
Kate Jennings

Game record - Scotland 2 - USA - 0