POLO - Northland playersface tough battles

NORTHLAND polo players had mixed success on the first day of the Porsche New Zealand Polo Open in Auckland yesterday.
The side, made up of Paula McMillan, Bruce Geard and Gary Jenkins, were bolstered by Auckland-based South African player Lloyd Ellis.
In their first match the Northland team lost 7-1 in tough conditions.
Rain for most of the morning meant the soft turf was easily dug up by the ponies' hooves.
"During the game the ball disappeared into some of the divots but it was all good fun," said McMillan. "There were too many goals going in the wrong end. We're up against some good players and some good ponies."
Geard slotted Northland's only goal.
Northland have another hit out tomorrow as the tournament progresses and will play again on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, McMillan was part of a team playing in the women's division of the tournament. Her team, consisting of players from Hawke's Bay, Rangitikei and Auckland, beat an all-Auckland team by 7 to 4.5 goals.
McMillan has been a major force behind re-establishing the sport in Northland and said it was a great achievement for the new club to have a team at the tournament.
"It's awesome to have a team here. It's a chance to get experience at a top level."
The Porsche NZ Polo Open is the premier high goal tournament on the polo calendar. It is a great opportunity for local players to play with and against some of the best.
The final is on Sunday at 3pm at the Auckland Polo Grounds, at Clevedon on Kawakawa Rd.