Eight teams entered the first 12-goal tournament of the season at Cowdray Park with Millie Barfoot’s Maiz Dulce and Alice Servaes’ Trinity Polo Stud both making their way to the Final which took place at sunny Ambersham on Sunday 12th May.
Millie Barfoot (0) wore the number 1 shirt for Maiz Dulce with Alfie Hyde (3) at number 2, Will Harper (4) at 3 and 5-goaler Will Emerson in the Back position. For Trinity Polo Stud, Alice Servaes (1) was positioned at number 1, with Lottie Lamacraft (1) at 2, Glenn Sherriff (4) at 3 and James Beim (6) at Back.
Alfie Hyde was first to score minutes into the first chukka, putting Maiz Dulce ahead 1-0. The teams headed back to the middle for the throw in. James Beim scored with a neat cut shot, followed by another goal from Alice Servaes putting Trinity Polo Stud ahead by one goal. Several melees ensued in this close fought game; however Trinity Polo Stud were able to gain control with James Beim picking up a quick pass from and scoring, giving Trinity Polo Stud a two-goal lead at the end of the second chukka with the scoreboard reading 3-1.
With renewed vigour entering the second chukka Will Harper was able to tee up the ball and score to put Maiz Dulce back on the board. After half time Maiz Dulce continued to hustle for possession with Alfie Hyde finding the ball and scoring a third goal for his team, drawing level at three goals apiece.
Possession continued to switch back and forth in the middle of the field in the third chukka however, it was James Beim who was able to maintain possession and run the ball to goal to put Trinity Polo Stud ahead by one goal with the score at 3-4 to Trinity Polo Stud at the start of the fourth and final chukka.
Trinity Polo Stud were unrelenting and James Beim once again scored to take his team into the lead 5-3. A spot point to Will Emerson meant Maiz Dulce were able to take back a goal to close the gap with the boards reading 4-5 to Trinity Polo Stud. A determined Will Harper hustled for possession and took the ball to goal to score for Maiz Dulce and put the game at an even 5-5. The final whistle came all too soon, leading into extra time for this closely contested cup final.
It was Glenn Sherriff who found the ball and nudged it between the posts giving Trinity Polo Stud the win with a final score of 5-6.
Prize giving took place at the Ambersham Clubhouse, with Alice Servaes stepping down from the podium to receive The Tyro Cup from Angela Barfoot. The X-Zony rug for the Best Playing Pony was presented to Glitter, played by James Beim and owned by Tom Beim.
