England came from behind in the fifth chukker to beat Argentina 12-8 in their FIP World Polo Championship league encounter at Werribee Park in Melbourne, Australia. The four-goal margin of victory was just enough to put England and the USA through to the semi finals and leave hot favorites and titleholders Argentina on the sidelines.
Mark Tomlinson - son of their coach Claire Tomlinson - scored the defining goal in the closing seconds of the game. Jamie Le Hardy captained the team in place of Luke Tomlinson who broke his thumb during a previous game against the USA. Tristan Pemble and Malcolm Borwick - responsible for initiating the England comeback against Argentina - were also on the winning line up.
England now play the home team Australia - Damien Johnston, Mark Field, Andrew Williams and Drew Slack-Smith - in Friday's semi finals. The USA having claimed league wins against England, 11-10 and India by 10-8 but who lost 9-7 to Argentina, will take on Brazil. The US line up consists of Jason Crowder, Carlucho Arellano, Dale Schwetz and Chris Nevins while Brazil has Aluizio Villela Rosa, Olavo Junqueira Novaes, Luis Gustavo Diniz Junqueira and Rodrigo Ribeiro Andrade.
Canada needed to win by eight goals in their final game against Italy in order to qualify. Despite 10 goals from Frederick Mannix, the 16-goal side - also with Steve Dalton as captain, Daniel Roenisch and Jamie Mirikitani - conceded two goals on handicap to the opposition but won 12-10, not enough to qualify.
POOL A
Australia vs. Italy (result unavailable)
Brazil 12 Canada 9
Italy 11 Brazil 11
Australia 12 Canada 12
Brazil 12 Australia 11
Canada 12 Italy 10
POOL B
England 19 India 10
Argentina 9 USA 7
USA 11 England 10
Argentina India
USA 10 India 8
England 12 Argentina 8
Semi finals - Friday April 6
Australia vs. England
USA vs. Brazil
