WITH Ireland, Germany and USA deadlocked after two days of play, the ladies international polo tournament held last weekend in Ashford, Co Wicklow, was decided by the toss of a coin, where the luck of the Irish won out, with Germany, second and USA third.

The opening match saw USA take on Germany. America’s Julie de Angelis, was playing in her first tournament on Irish soil, supported Elaine Monahan and sisters Izzy and Ellen McGregor. The round-robin format saw Ireland take on the German team after two chuckas, with Siobhan Herbst, Caroline Keeling, Annemeike Goos and Stefanie Smaltz, scoring a half goal win. The final two chukkas of the round robin brought the USA team back to the field. Polo Wicklow’s Ballyhenry club patron Joe O’Connell had donned the German colours along with Julie Kavanagh, Stefanie Maiti and Elke Ehrhardt.

Sunday’s final series of matches produced thrilling action from the throw in. Stefanie Maiti led the challenge with some huge shots as Germany pipped USA by half a point. Ireland then took on Germany with the home team trailing by one and a half goals going into the last chukka. However two excellent goals scored directly from a short back-hand from Schmalz to Herbst, saw the Irish win by half a point. Derville Meade had replaced her sister Elaine Monaghan for the Sunday match, as Ireland took on the USA. Some excellent team work between the McGregor sisters, DeAngleis, Flint and Meade, saw the USA score a winning goal in the final minute to pip the Irish by half a point. Best playing pony went to Caroline Keeling’s Fantasma, a 10-year-old Argentine mare.

The next tournament at Ballyhenry Polo Grounds will be on September 19th to officially open the new club house.