Polo Report - Newport v's Yale

Newport vs Yale

NEWPORT STOPS YALE

Newport unleashed its vengeance in a grudge match against Yale University Polo Club of New Haven, CT. with a 12-8 victory on Saturday, August 12^th in the Newport International Polo Series.

Leading the assault was Newport's Gene Goldstein in the #2 position who scored pairs of goals in the first, third and fifth chukkas. Dave Bullis tallied with goals in the third and sixth chukka and a pony goal in the second when his mount deflected the ball through the goal posts. Team captain Dan Keating stabilized the team's defense in the #3 position and widened the lead with goals in the second and fifth chukkas. Kim Knickerson was also busy in defense in the #4 position and put a point on the scoreboard in the second chukka. Aram Schefrin substituted in the #1 position.

After two prior victories against Newport earlier this season, Yale captain Eileen Flint, playing in the #2 position, could not rouse another. In the #3 position, her son Andrew Flint was Yale's best hope, scoring a pair of goals in the fourth, and single goals in the fifth and sixth chukkas. In the #4 position, Rob Moody sparked in the opening chukka with a pair of goals and again in the final chukka with another goal. Chip Steigler alternated in the #4 position and scored in the third chukka. Sasha Bowers also alternated in the #4 position. Jerry Kagan maintained the #1 position.

The opening chukka ended anxiously as each team's top scorer flashed skill and speed, matching goal for goal in a 2-2 draw. In the second chukka, Newport's other teammates each drew ovations with unanswered goals, ending the chukka 5-2. In the third chukka, a single goal by Yale was ineffective as Newport widened the lead with three more goals, ending the first half 8-3. The second half opened with two strong goals from Yale, bolstering their hopes with a narrowing 8-5 deficit. Newport kept the pressure on in the fifth chukka with two more goals to Yale's one, 10-6. Determined to settle the match in the sixth and final chukka, both teams turned up the heat, but as the dust settled, matching pairs of goals left the balance of power in Newport's favor with a 12-8 victory.

The Newport International Polo Series resumes at 5:00 p.m. next Saturday, August 19, at historic Glen Farm in Portsmouth when Newport faces new challengers, Meadowbrook Polo Club of Long Island, New York. For more information, call 847-7090.