A sunny Bank Holiday Monday on the 31st August set the scene for the West Sussex Cup Final, as local team Cormix came up against Mount Loftus on Ambersham 1.
Riding out in the black shirts for Cormix was Edward Batchelor (0) at 1, Ramon Sorzana (0) at 2, Josh Cork (3) at 3, and Marcus Cork (3) at Back. Mount Loftus lined up with Georgina Brittain (0) at 1, Hugh Bate (1) at 2, Benji Mancini (2) at 3, and 3-goaler Jonny Good at Back.
The first chukka got underway in front of a busy clubhouse, with members and spectators enjoying the Bank Holiday BBQ. Marcus Cork opened the scoring with a well-executed 60-yard penalty, before Mancini quickly responded with a breakaway goal to level the scores at 1-1 heading into the second.
Marcus Cork once again got the scoreboard moving in the second chukka, successfully converting another penalty. Young Bate responded with back-to-back runs to goal, before a last-minute foul by Mount Loftus handed Cork another opportunity from the penalty spot. He made no mistake with the 40-yard penalty, taking Cormix into half-time with a narrow 3-2 lead.
The third chukka continued to favour Cormix, with a determined team effort finished by Marcus Cork midway through the chukka, followed by a final second 30-yard penalty to put a bit of margin between the two teams going into the last, 5-3.
The final chukka saw a dramatic comeback from Mount Loftus. An early mistake by Cormix gave Good the opportunity to convert a 40-yard penalty, before he executed a cut shot from the boards to bring Mount Loftus level at 5-5, calling for an extra chukka.
With the crowd on the edge of their seats, there was all to play for. Both teams fought with determination, and following a missed penalty for Cormix, the play went from end to end. It was ultimately Mount Loftus who found the breakthrough, with a decisive cut shot from Good sealing a thrilling 6-5 victory.
The historic West Sussex Cup was presented to Georgina Brittain by Mila Batchelor, while the X-Zony Best Playing Pony Rug was awarded to Candy, played and owned by Jonny Good.
