First Day of BMW NZ Polo Open Kicked-Off with a Bang

Press Release
Wednesday 20th February, 2013

First Day of BMW NZ Polo Open Kicked-Off with a Bang Yesterday

New Zealand’s greatest exhibition of equestrian spirit commenced yesterday at the BMW NZ Polo Open with two closely fought, high-goal games.

The first saw Bayleys edge Veuve Clicquot 14 – 13 in extra time, with a sudden death, extra chukka to decide the winner.

Polo Manager Hannah Marshall says the match kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

“It was a nail-bitingly close, goal for goal game. All the players were on their a-game and raised the bar for the rest of the tournament,” she says.

South African Nachi du Plessis (Veuve Clicquot) and Argentinian Pedro Harrison (Bayleys) were both standout players, with Nachi showing his eight-goal standard from the first hit, scoring 10 goals in total.

In the second game Howard Scott & Partners lost to Mobilis 10 – nine, in an aggressive and high intensity match that could have gone either way. Mobilis sealed the match with a goal in the final 32 seconds of the last chukka.

“It was extremely close. There were so many near goals - it was very exciting,” says Marshall.

The round robin continues today with the highly anticipated matches of BMW vs Howard Scott & Partners and Rodd & Gunn vs Veuve Clicquot at Ryburn Park in Clevedon.

Play continues throughout the week, culminating in the gala finals day this Sunday, 24th February when the rich and fabulous descend upon Clevedon to see who takes the trophy.

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For more information and press passes contact:
PR representative Paul Blomfield: 021 970 871
Auckland Polo Club President Tony van den Brink: 027 495 2000
Auckland Polo Club Manager Hannah Marshall: 027 292 3004

About the BMW New Zealand Polo Open:
The BMW New Zealand Polo Open is New Zealand’s premiere polo event and highlight of the polo season. 2013 marks the 36th year of the event that sets the benchmark for polo and fashion in Australasia and features top Kiwi and international players. www.aucklandpolo.co.nz

Open Week Schedule:

Wednesday 20th Feb: Ryburn Park, West Road, Clevedon
- BMW vs Howard Scott & Partners, 3:30pm
- Rodd & Gunn vs Veuve Clicquot, 5:00pm
Thursday 21st Feb: Ryburn Park, West Road, Clevedon
- Bayleys vs Rodd & Gunn, 3:00pm
- BMW vs Mobilis, 5:00pm
Friday 22nd Feb:
- No high goal games
Saturday 23rd Feb: Auckland Polo Grounds, Kawakawa Bay Road, Clevedon
- Semi Final - 1st League 1 vs 2nd League 2
- Semi Final - 1st League 2 vs 2nd League 1
Sunday 24th Feb: Auckland Polo Grounds, Kawakawa Bay Road, Clevedon
- Sub Final - 3rd League 1 vs 3rd League 2
- Final - Winner match 33 vs Winner match 34

High-Goal Teams:

Bayleys
Matt Bayley 2-goal
Craig Wilson 6-goal
Tommy Wilson 7-goal
Pedro Harrison 3-goal

BMW
Tany Lavas 0-goal
Tom Hunt 5-goal
John Paul Clarkin 8-goal
Jack Richardson 5-goal

Howard Scott and Partners
John Martin 4-goal
Henry Fisher 5-goal
Ed Hitchman 5-goal
Paco O'Dwyer 4-goal

Rodd & Gunn
Ross George 1-goal
Ross Ainsley 5-goal
Tom Morley 6-goal
Sam Hopkinson 6-goal

Mobilis
Angus McKelvie 5-goal
Andrew Parrott 5-goal
Robert Watson 5-goal
Glen Armstrong 3-goal

Veuve Clicquot
James Worker 2-goal
Glenn Sherriff. 4-goal
Ignatius Du Plessis 8-goal
Kit Brooks 4-goal

ENDS

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