The 18-goal Duke of Sutherland Cup final, supported by Equine Management, concluded on Sunday, 7th June on Brooks Field, with White Crane Black taking on Amanara.
Riding out at 1 for White Crane Black was Jasmine Calvert-Ansari (0), with Matt Perry (5) at 2, Mackenzie Weisz (6) at 3, and 6-goaler Felipe Dabas at back. In the blue shirts for Amanara were Nickey Sen (0) at 1, British 5-goaler Ollie Cudmore at 2, Lorenzo Chavanne (7) at 3, and Santiago Chavanne (6) at back. Due to a one-goal handicap difference, White Crane Black started with a ½-goal advantage.
The first chukka started with very even play from both sides. Santiago Chavanne opened the scoring midway through the chukka; however, Dabas responded with a neck shot from the boards. A final breakaway goal from Lorenzo Chavanne just before the buzzer left Amanara leading 2-1½.
The second chukka continued in much the same fashion, with a further two field goals for Amanara and two successfully converted penalties from Weisz, leaving White Crane Black still down by half a goal heading into the third.
The tables turned further in Amanara’s favour in the third chukka, with two more goals from the young Lorenzo Chavanne and an impressive long-range shot from Cudmore. Combined with strong defensive play that prevented White Crane Black from advancing, Amanara went into half-time leading 7-3½.
The second half saw a strong push from White Crane Black in the fourth chukka, with a beautifully struck 40-yard penalty from Weisz and a first goal for Perry. However, an impressive goal from the Amanara number one, Sen, saw them head into the final chukka with an 8-5½ advantage.
The final chukka sealed a brilliant match for Amanara, with two further goals from the unstoppable Lorenzo Chavanne and resolute defence preventing any more goals for White Crane Black, leaving the final score 10-5½ in favour of Amanara.
The Duke of Sutherland Cup was presented to Nicky Sen by Stephen Biddlecombe, founder of Equine Management, supplier and manufacturer of premium equine products and saddlery, who also provided prizes for the teams. The Gusbourne Most Valuable Player Award went to Lorenzo Chavanne, while the Equine Management Best Playing Pony Rug was awarded to V8 Gucci, owned by Nicky Sen/Amanara and played by Santiago Chavanne.
