Newport vs Meadowbrook

NEWPORT SENDS HOME MEADOWBROOK EMPTY-HANDED

Meadowbrook Polo Club of Long Island, New York, came a long way to be handed a decisive defeat by Newport, who outplayed their first-time competitor 14-11 on Saturday, August 19^th in the Newport International Polo Series.

Newport's captain, Dan Keating, playing in the #3 position, kept pressure on Meadowbrook, the oldest continuously-running polo club in the country, with 2 goals in the opening chukka, and additional points in the second, third and fifth chukkas. In the #4 position, Jonathan Kaye added four points to the tally, with a pair in the fourth chukka and singles in the first and fifth. Gene Goldstein was also good for four goals, scoring twice in the second chukka and again in the third and sixth chukkas. Substituting for Goldstein in the #2 position was EZ Baker. In the #1 position, Tarzan Mark Wright contributed a tie breaking goal in the action-packed first chukka.

Meadowbrook’s ace, Louis Newforge in the #3 position, scattered 7 goals against Newport, including 3 in the final chukka, a pair in the opening chukka and single goals in the second and fourth chukkas. Team captain Craig Creamer in the #4 position scored twice in the third chukka and once in the fifth. Playing in the #1 position, John Campagna scored in the fifth chukka. The #2 position was played by Richard Gilder.

The match exploded into a scoring dual in the opening chukka, with both teams’ top scorers striking twice, but Newport edged ahead 4-2 before the bell ended the chukka. In the second chukka, a single goal by Meadowbrook paled against three by Newport, running away with the lead 7-3. The third chukka found balance as the teams honed their defensive strategies and each scored twice, ending the first half 9-5. After substantial divot-stomping by avid fans to restore the field at half-time, the fourth chukka ensued to the tune of a grateful home team outstlugging the visitors 2 goals to 1, padding their lead 11-6. In the fifth chukka, both teams dug in to advanced by two goals a piece, 13-8. In the final chukka, Meadowbrook defiantly staged an all out campaign with threegoals but fell short of overtaking Newport, 14-11.

The Newport International Polo Series resumes at 5:00 p.m. next Saturday, August 26, at historic Glen Farm in Portsmouth when Newport renews an old rivalry against Spain. For more information, call 847-7090.