Tetbury polo stars guide England to superb win over South Africa (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Tetbury polo stars guide England to superb win over South Africa

TETBURY-based polo players Luke and Mark Tomlinson helped England secure an emphatic victory over South Africa in the inaugural Kurland Polo International last Saturday.

Played at the breathtaking Kurland estate in Plettenberg Bay, England came from behind to win 14-9.

Having completed a clean sweep in a two Test series against Australia in August, South Africa went into this match with bags of confidence, despite losing 7-5 to England in this fixture last year.

South Africa were quick to take the initiative in a fiercely contested yet well tempered match when they went two goals up in the first chukka.

Led by Luke Tomlinson, England began to find their feet and eventually drew level before a series of field goals in the fifth chukka took England's lead to 13-8 going into the last.

A goal in the first minute of the sixth chukka all but confirmed victory, although South Africa scored a consolation goal before the end to make the final scoreline more respectable.

Luke Tomlinson, who was named the most valuable player after contributing seven of the 14 England goals, commented:

"It wasn't until the third chukka that we really began to find our rhythm and gel as a unit.

"It's a very good win taking into account we were playing away from home and the South Africans have played as a team on a number of occasions."

South Africa: Selby Williamson (6), Dougie Lound (6), Russel Watson (6), Gillespie Watson (5).

England: Jamie Le Hardy (6), Mark Tomlinson (6), Luke Tomlinson (7), Alan Kent (5).