Newport vs. US Military

NEWPORT USA BATTLES U.S. MILITARY

Newport USA massacred the U.S. Military team Saturday, July 1, in the Newport International Polo Series’ traditional Independence Day standoff. The17-5 victory gives the home team a 5-2 record against their annual rival in the Commander John C. Leavitt Cup.

The high-scoring game had the U.S. Military team ambushed from the start despite a 1-goal handicap, when Newport staged a 4-goal blitz in the first chukka. The U.S. Military team, who once again resorted to classified means to secure ace defenseman Flournoy for the dual, struck back with goals in the second, third and sixth chukkas but were outgunned by the Newport squad, who continued to shell their opponents with goals for the duration of the match.

The U.S.Military team was captained by Marine Corp 2^nd Lt. Jake Flournoy, Jr., a 2-goal player currently stationed in North Carolina, playing in the #3 position, whose threat from the previous year was minimized to one goal in the second chukka and two in the final chukka. Major Margaret Bond of the Army National Guard in Alexandria, VA., playing in the #1 position, added a goal in the third chukka. Retired Marine Corp Lt, Colonel Dean Dagget of Irvine, CA., alternated in the #1 position and Lt. Cmdr. EZ Baker of the US Naval War College assisted in defense in the #2 position. In the #4 position was Army Lt. Colonel Bob Schoemaker from Bethesda, MD.

Newport USA captain Dan Keating, playing in the #3 position, lead the scoring with goals in the first, second, third and fourth chukkas and two in the fifth. Playing in the #1 position was Mark Wright, who contributed to the victory with a goal in the second chukka and two more in the sixth chukka. Leonard Nihan, alternate in the #1 position, added a pair of goals in the third chukka. Dave Bullis, playing in the #2 position, recorded a personal best with two goals in the first chukka, followed by goals in the fourth and fifth chukkas. In the #4 position was Kim Knickerson, scoring in the first and fifth chukkas.