Sat 23rd Mar 2019The Susan G. Komen U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship FinalHawaii Polo Life crowned champions
The 2019 Susan G. Komen U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship Final was played at International Polo Club, Palm Beach on Saturday 23 March for the first time in the tournament’s history, with the Championship having been relocated from Houston Polo Club for 2019. Cabo Wabo and Hawaii Polo Life faced each other in Saturday’s Final with two of the best British female players, Hazel Jackson-Gaona and Nina Clarkin, lining up on either side of the throw-in. Nina opened the scoring for Hawaii Polo Life with a swift and confident goal within the first 30 seconds of play, setting the tone for the Final to come. Cabo Wabo’s set plays were shut down throughout the first chukka as Hawaii Polo Life demonstrated their attacking power and ended the chukka 4-0. Cabo Wabo eventually managed to get on the board in the second chukka, taking advantage of costly fouls against Hawaii Polo Life with Jackson-Gaona converting three penalties for her team, bringing the half-time score to 4-3 and pulling Cabo Wabo back into the game. Both teams came back onto the field with their sights set on the win, and it was Mia Cambiaso for Hawaii Polo Life who was first to strike with a field goal. However, Cabo Wabo’s Hope Arellano was quick to reply with a goal of her own. Yet 10 goaler Clarkin was poised to take advantage of each opportunity and increased Hawaii Polo Life’s lead to 6-4. Hawaii Polo Life continued to perform in the fourth and final chukka, delivering four consecutive goals to assert their dominance, Jackson-Gaona converted a Penalty 4 before Cabo Wabo decided to concede victory to Hawaii Polo Life with 30 seconds left to play as the final score of 10-5 said it all. Clarkin was named Most Valuable Player, whilst Pamela Flanagan was named Most Valuable Amateur Player and Cambiaso received the Rising Star award. Milk, played by Hope Arellano, was awarded the Best Playing Pony honours. The Susan G. Komen U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship Final Teams: Hawaii Polo Life (21): Nina Clarkin (10), Mia Cambiaso (6), Pamela Flanagan (3) & Anja Jacobs (2) Cabo Wabo (22): Hazel Jackson-Gaona (9), Gillian Johnston (6), Hope Arellano (5) & Roni Duke (2) Photograph: Hawaii Polo Life, The Susan G. Komen U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship winners. By ©United States Polo Association/David Lominska |