A rainy Saturday, July 19th, marked the conclusion of the 1921 Cup, as Bamboleo took on reigning champions DJ Cats on Ambersham 1.
Christain Staubach (1) rode out at 1 for Bamboleo, with Harry Revell (2) at 2, Nick Johnson (3) at 3, and Chris Lund (4) at Back. For the DJ Cats side, Skye Gilmore (0) wore the number 1 shirt in replacement for an injured David Turner (0), with Ashley Glennie (0) at 2, Jake Daniels (5) at 3, and Jimbo Fewster (5) at Back.
The first chukka saw a strong start by DJ Cats, with a couple of costly fouls by Bamboleo leading to successfully converted 30- and 40-yard penalties by the Australian, Daniels, on top of a field goal. Bamboleo responded with just a 30-yard penalty conversion by Lund, leaving DJ Cats leading 3-1. The second chukka saw more balanced play, with a goal out of the lineout from Daniels to open the scoring. Johnson responded with a neck-shot field goal, and the rally continued with a 60-yard penalty conversion by Daniels. However, Johnson closed the chukka with another field goal, assisted by Revell, taking the match into halftime at 5-3 in favor of DJ Cats.
The fourth chukka remained close. An interception by Lund was taken to goal, but another foul against Bamboleo allowed Daniels to secure another 40-yard penalty. In the final moments, a foul by DJ Cats gave Lund the chance to successfully convert a 30-yard penalty, narrowing the gap to just one goal heading into the final chukka, 6-5. The fifth chukka saw a couple of costly fouls by DJ Cats, giving Lund the opportunity to score two more penalties. However, an under-pressure neck-shot goal by Fewster kept DJ Cats in the game, sending the match into an extra chukka with the scores tied at 7-7. With the crowd on the edge of their seats, the extra chukka featured intense, evenly matched play from both teams, until a breakaway goal by Lund sealed an 8-7 victory for Bamboleo.
A delighted Christain Staubach stepped forward to receive the 1921 Cup from Maya Staubach-Benteler. The X-Zony Best Playing Pony Rug was presented to Strip, played by Jake Daniels, owned by David Turner, and expertly cared for by grooms Diego Jesus D’elia and Leo Chavez.
