Champions Kenya Fall To Argentina In India Women Polo Defence

MANIPUR,India- Kenya started their title defence at the fourth edition of India Statehood Day Women’s Polo Tournament on wrong footing by going down 3-7 against Argentina at Kangjeibung Grounds in Manipur, India on Friday afternoon.

Despite the poor start, team captain Rowena Stichbury is optimistic they will rise in their second fixture against Manipur at the venue on Saturday.

“It was a hard fought game against Argentina, but it was full of fun. The opponents had the advantage of playing a match against Manipur on Thursday which gave them the advantage of knowing incredible and sturdy ponies," Stichbury underlined.

“This enabled them to get to grips with the unpredictable ground and horses. All in all, it was a good game,” she added.

Cheza Millar scored a quick goal to give Kenya a 1-0 lead in the first minute of the opening chukka after she received a well calculated center pass from Hiromi Nzomo.

Argentina then took control in the second chukka where Elina Braun and Martina Garrahan converted two penalties as they took a 1-2 lead briefly before Millar scored to level 2-2 for Kenya.

Back line

Argentina dominated  the third segment, scoring through Victoria Mihanovic and Garrahan to stretch their tally to 2-4.

The Fourth chukka went to the winners who breached Kenya thrice through Garrahan's brace with Braun adding the other to establishing a yawning 2-7 advantage.

Kenya pulled one back in the period through Phyllipa Gulden to reduce the deficit to 3-7 before the final whistle.

“We had hoped to have stronger horses in the second half. The teams are given 10 horses each for the first half which are then swapped in the second half,” Stichbury remarked.

Before tackling Kenya Argentina beat Manipur 5-3 on Thursday and in other results, Canada thumped India Polo Association (IPA) team 7-4 before they were whitewashed 8-1 by USA.

Stichbury, Georgina Millar, Cheza, Nzomo and Gluden make the Kenyan team with the East Africans winning the third edition of the tournament held at the location last year when they stunned USA 5-4 in  a hard fought final.

India Women Polo Results

Kenya                   3             7 Argentina

Manipur               3             5 Argentina

IPA                        4             7  Canada

Canada                1             8   USA