3rd Statehood Day Women Polo Kenya to meet USA in final clash
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 19 2018:
Pool A winners Kenya will lock horns with Pool B winners USA in the final of the 3rd Manipur Statehood Women Polo Tournament 2018 on 21st January.
The tournament organised by Manipur Polo Association under the sponsorship of Manipur Tourism features 3 Indian teams and three international teams clubbed into two pools.
In the last league matches played today, Kenya drubbed Indian Polo Association 9-3 to emerge Pool-A winners while USA edged out Austalia 3-2 to set up the final clash with Kenya.
In the first match of the day, the Kenyans enjoyed a 3-1 first chukker lead through goals scored by Tiva Gross and Nikki Barlow.
Tiva gross struck twice in the 0.30th and 1.20th minute while the star of the match, Nikki Barlow scored the single goal in the 5.35th minute.
Monica Saxena who scored the single goal last day against Manipur (Thangjing) registered her first goal for IPA in the first chukker.
Tiva Gross (0.55th minute) and Nikki Barlow (3.20th minute) added one each in the second chukker and gave Kenya a 5-1 lead.
The third chukker saw IPA team going bad to worse as the Kenyan side pumped in three more goals.
Two goals came in a row via the stick of Nikki Barlow (4.20' and 6.10') after Kaila Miller struck the first of the chukker in the 0.55th minute.
After spending two chukker without a goal, Monia Saxena displayed her scoring capabilities striking two goals in the last chukker.
She found her second goal of the day early in the 0.15th minute.
The Kenyans also did not give up despite the huge lead and it was Nikki again who hammered the last goal of their team in the 1.05th minute.
Monika then scored the last goal of the match two minutes latter.
The last match between USA and Australia was a very crucial match as the winner would progressed into the final and a draw would hand the Australian side the final berth.
Australia took over the first two chukkers with a 2-0 lead but USA bounced back stronger in the last two chukker and turned the table off thier side.
Whitney Warren came up with the opener when the match was not even 1 minute old.
Billie Mascart added the second and the last goal for Australia in the 6.35th minute of the second chukker.
After going down first two chukkers, The USA team were more determined and were looking for the best time to score.
Olivia Stringer of USA lit up the hope as she struck a single in the 3rd chukker to reduce the deficit two just one goal.
Olivia was also the one who struck the opener for her team against Manipur (Marjing).
Merissa Wells who made two goals yesterday then took charge of the team and rode through opponent's half to chipped in the equaliser in the last chukker.
With the score levelled at 2-2, both teams tried hard to make a difference and it was Olivia who broke the deadlock and gave her team the final berth.
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