On Sunday 4th September, a 21 goal England Ladies polo team, consisting of LOLLY STANHOPE-WHITE  (5), EMMA  BOERS (6,) ROSANNA TURK © (5), and REBECCA WALTERS  (5) played at the Inanda Polo Club in South Africa against a combined 22 goal “ All Africa” team of  MEGAN GRIFFITHS (4) (KEN), LEE-ANN SPARK (4) (SA) JOSSIE SPILSBURY (6)(SA), IZZY PARSONS (8)(KEN).

Prior to the international match, all the players took part in the 12 goal tournament The Diamond Ladies Open at the East Rand Polo Club. All the players were allocated into different teams with local players and all the matches’ were won with very tight margins. The qualifying teams for the final were Lolly’s Quatro Invicta and Izzy Parson’s Balderja La Familia. The golden goal was scored towards the end of the extra chukka by Lolly. Rosanna Turk’s team, QMS Medical, secured the sub final win.

The England team was extremely well mounted for the International on some brilliant horses supplied by the local players and patrons. It was an epic game that was extremely hard fought and evenly matched throughout. The teams had very different structures, with the All Africa star player Izzy Parsons leading the Africa charge, where as the England team were all very evenly handicapped. All Africa caught the England team off guard in the first chukka and scored two goals very quickly. For the rest of the game the match was even, however the England team couldn’t quite make up the deficit. All Africa took home the win with a final score of 8-5. The atmosphere was electric with thousands of people in attendance, and England’s travelling reserve Alice Walsh taking home the win in the car v horse race after the match.

Rebecca Walters was named MVP having scored some brilliant goals that kept the England team in the hunt.

Huge thanks must go to Lee-Ann Spark and Craig and Katherine James who arranged the trip and coordinated the fixtures and hospitality, which was second to none. Also to Campbell Mcnab, Davie Evans and the other horse lenders, who mounted the team on some of the best horses the players have had the pleasure of riding abroad. Finally to Mdu who coordinated our travel and made the players feel so welcome throughout the trip.

ENGLAND LADIES ALL AFRICA LADIES
1. A. STANHOPE-WHITE 5 1. M. GRIFFITHS (KEN) 4
2. E. BOERS 6 2. L. SPARK (SA) 4
3. R. TURK © 5 3. J. SPILSBURY (SA) 6
4. R. WALTERS 5 4. I. PARSONS (KEN) 8
Total 21 Total 22

 

Score: 8-5

Winners: All Africa

MVP: Rebecca Walters