The first 12-goal of the season concluded on Sunday 11th May, on a glorious day at Ambersham 1. The busiest day so far off the 2025 season saw crowds gather to watch Cowdray Vikings take on Maiz Dulce in the hotly contested Tyro Cup Final.
The Hon. Mrs Lila Pearson rode out at 1 for Cowdray Vikings, with George Pearson (2) at 2, Ollie Cork (4) at 3 and Argentine 6-goaler Manuel Elizalde at Back. In the yellow shirts for Maiz Dulce, Millie Barfoot (0) wore the number 1 shirt, with Alfie Hyde (3) at 2, Will Harper (4) at 3, and Will Emerson (5) at Back.
The first chukka saw very even play by both sides, however Maiz Dulce established themselves on the leaderboard first with a cost to coast goal by Emerson, but a 30-yard penalty conversion by Elizalde saw the score level going into the second. Another costly foul by Maiz Dulce saw an opening 60-yard penalty in favour of Cowdray Vikings, successfully executed by Elizalde. However, an outstanding team effort from Maiz saw Barfoot winning the lineout and assisting Hyde with a goal, and two further goals by Emerson and Harper in the latter minutes leaving the score 4-2 going into half-time.
The third chukka proved to stay equal with costly fouls by both sides, with Hyde converting a 40-yard penalty for Maiz Dulce and Elizalde successfully taking two successive penalties in favour of Cowdray Vikings leaving the score 5-4 going into the last. With all still to play for both teams rode out with determination in the fourth chukka, the first minute saw a great goal by George Pearson to equalize the scores, but a foul in favour of Maiz Dulce saw Alfie respond with a successful 60-yard penalty. With tensions rising both teams saw great play, but after two blocked penalties to goal from Cowdray Vikings, the third found the flags off Elizalde’s stick to bring the scores equal. In the final 2 minutes of the game a significant mistake by Harper saw him receive his second yellow card and be sent off for the rest of the game, leaving Cowdray Vikings with a spot hit successfully taken by Elizalde, pushing them into the lead. Despite the strong defence of the three remaining Maiz Dulce players, a final field goal by Cork cemented victory for the Cowdray Vikings team 8-6.
The Hon. Mrs Lila Pearson stepped down to collect the Tyro Cup from Cowdray Park Polo Club’s new managing director Martine Hartridge. The X-Zony Best Playing Pony Rug was presented to Chapa Annie, played by Ollie Cork, owned by Mathieu Van Delden, and cared for by grooms Jesus & Facundo Aquino and Maty Sosa.
