The 18-goal Duke of Sutherland Cup final, supported by Equine Management, played out in front of a busy crowd on Lawns 2 seeing White Crane Black take on La Irenita MB Polo, on Sunday 8th June 2025.
Riding out at 1 for White Crane Black was Jasmine Calvert-Ansari (0), with Simon Prado (6) at 2, Mackenzie Weisz (6) at 3, and Felipe Dabas (6) at Back. In the white shirts for La Irenita MB Polo (La Irenita), Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei (0) wore the number 1 shirt, with Alfie Hyde (3) at 2, Bartolome Castagnola (9) at 3 and 6-goaler Matias Mac Donough Jnr at Back.
A fast-paced game was witnessed with even plays by both sides, however La Irenita managed to keep their noses ahead throughout the game to take victory, 9-6. The first chukka saw an outstanding opening goal by Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei in the second minute, putting La Irenita on the scoreboard. However, this was quickly responded to by Prado with a cut shot from the boards, equalling the score, but an under-pressure goal by Castagnola left La Irenita leading 2-1 after the first. The second chukka told a similar story, with an opening penalty 2 conversion by Mac Donough, responded with a brilliant team goal finished by Weisz for White Crane, but a breakaway goal by Castagnola left La Irenita leading 4-2 going into the third. La Irenita continued their pursuit for victory in the third with an outstanding neck shot goal and another breakaway goal by Castagnola, leaving La Irenita leading 6-2 going into half-time.
The fourth chukka opened with a brilliant neck shot by Mac Donough after picking the ball up from the boards, advancing the La Irenita lead. However, White Crane came back with determination with Dabas picking up the ball to score his first goal of the game. Continuing from this momentum, Dabas successfully converted a penalty 2 to keep White Crane in contention going into the last, 4 goals to La Irenita’s 7. The final chukka started with a costly foul by White Crane to see another 30-yard penalty conversion by Dabas. However, La Irenita responded with an amazing nearside neck shot goal under pressure from Dabas, with Mac Donough continuing La Irenita’s final advance with another cleanly converted penalty 2. One final push from Prado saw him perfectly execute a difficult cut shot, however it wasn’t quite enough to help his White Crane Black side catch the dominant La Irenita, who emerged victorious 9-6.
Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei stepped forward to receive the coveted Duke of Sutherland Cup from Stephen Biddlecombe, owner of Equine Management, who kindly provided all the prizes for the tournament. The Most Valuable Player award was awarded to Bartolome Castagnola, presented with a magnum of Gusbourne English Sparkling Wine. The Equine Management Best Playing Pony Rug was presented to Bombay, played and owned by Bartolome Castagnola, with his grooms Mariano Valent, Walter Benítez and Andrés Chávez being presented with a hamper courtesy of Equine Management.
The Tatham Cup was played as the Duke of Sutherland sub-final with Emlor Black taking on G Squared. A great game was played with Emlor Black ultimately emerging victorious 12–6½. James McCarthy stepped down to receive the Cup from Stephen Biddlecombe, with the Equine Management Most Valuable Player award being presented to Edward Banner-Eve.
