Andrey Borodin adds his name to Guards Polo Club’s oldest trophy, while Armis Snake Bite win Mountbatten Trophy
Allsportspk Editorial addition: Two players from Pakistan participated â Refer to the team list appended below
Park Place confirmed their status as the leading 15-goal team in the UK after winning the Bentley Motors Royal Windsor Cup. In a thrilling game on The Queenâs Ground, Andrey Borodinâs team defeated Charlie Wooldridgeâs Twelve Oaks 8-7. This win is particularly impressive as 21 teams entered this year’s tournament.
There had not been much air between Park Place and Twelve Oaks throughout these five chukkas, played in the presence of HM The Queen, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and Dr Andreas Offermann, the member of the Bentley board for sales and marketing. Strong defensive play from both sides stopped either team running away with this game, ensuring a fast and competitive match for the many spectators.
South African international Chris Mackenzie, later named the Bentley Motors Most Valuable Player, gave Park Place a 6-4 lead at half-time and when team-mate Juan Britos converted a penalty in the fourth, it looked as if Twelve Oaksâ chances were over. Charlie Wooldridgeâs team had other ideas though. A successful penalty was followed by some brilliant play from Chris Hyde in the fifth and final chukka. He found some space in a huddle of players, creating a clear path to goal to level the scores.
The crowds were eager for extra time â this final had been a fitting end to the UKâs leading 15-goal tournament â but Mackenzie put paid to that. He fired through a ball on the bell to guarantee that it was Park Placeâs name that was added to Guards Polo Clubâs oldest trophy. The pony Mackenzie was playing in this chukka, Crystal, was later named the Bentley Motors Royal Windsor Cup Best Playing Pony. This nine-year-old mare, a former racehorse, had also been played by Chris in the second chukka. In a generous gesture, Mackenzie invited Crystalâs groom, Amber Jacobs, to receive the ponyâs prizes from HM The Queen.
An earlier match, for the subsidiary Mountbatten Trophy, saw a win for Maximillian Kirchoffâs Armis Snake Bite. They beat Henry Porterâs GSA 11-9 on The Dukeâs Ground. Lady Tatiana Mountbatten presented the prizes after another, equally tough game, which saw England internationals James Beim and James Harper forge a strong partnership for Armis Snake Bite, delivering victory for their patron.
There was one further match on this day â a Penny Farthing Polo International â featuring England v Scotland. This is the first time that penny farthing polo has been played at Guards Polo Club, but this six-chukka match generated much interest. England, led by Neil Laughton, came out top, defeating Scotland, captained by David Fox Pitt, 8-4.
The day concluded with the elegant parade of the championship winners from the neighbouring British Driving Society Show. Both HM The Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, who had watched the parade from the Royal Box, spent time with each winner after presenting them with their winnersâ rosettes.
Park Place: Andrey Borodin (0); Nico Roberts (3); Juan Britos (6); Chris Mackenzie (6). Twelve Oaks: Charlie Wooldridge (1); Charlie Hanbury (4); Oliver Cudmore (5); Chris Hyde (5).
Armis Snake Bite: Maximillian Kirchoff (0); David Ashby (3); James Harper (6); James Beim (6). GSA: Henry Porter (2); Adolfo Casabal (4); Satnam Dhillon (5); Matias Machado (4).
The Teams and Players which participated include:
League One | League Three | League Five |
Four Quarters | ||
Ballinger Polo Team
Black/White Clarita Black Black Emlor S Red/Black Mad Dogs Green Black Black Kildare Park Place Twelve Oaks Blue/White
|
Altamira Madams Farm White Adriano Agosti 0 John Kent 2 Alberto (Pepe) Heguy 7 Gaston Laulhe 6 Apes Hill Orange/Black Luke Wiles 1 Tommy Severn 2 Isidro Strada 6 Mark Tomlinson 6 Four Quarters Shalimar Armis Clarke and Green Green |
Ferne Park Grey/Green Vere Harmsworth 0 Joshua Cork 2 Ignacio Negri 6 Joaquin Pittaluga 7 Sifani Black/White Emlor C Red GSA HB Polo Red/Blue King Power Blue/White Les Lions Blue/Red |
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