The weekend of 16/17th June saw three tournaments reach their conclusion with the Finals of the Bryan Bethell, Petworth and Jersey Lilies Cups taking place in the continuing unseasonal weather.
On Saturday 16th June, Sally Turner, with Ollie Cork, Henry Brett and George Meyrick in her CPG Nightingale team beat Andre Fatal’s River, with Will Harper, Glenn Sherriff and Bautista Sorzana, 6-4 in the 12 goal Petworth Cup. Sunday saw Jella Herzer and Mauricio Bolana’s Los Schatzies team with Harry Muddle and Santiago Stirling, narrowly beat Louisa Watt and the Brown Rudnick team of Evan Power, Edward Banner-Eve and Henry Brett 6-5 in the historic Jersey Lilies Cup.

The highest ranked Final of the weekend was the 15 goal Bryan Bethell Cup, entered by 9 teams, with David Turner’s DJ Cats and Jean Paul Luksic’s Gaston making it through. On the field for David Turner were Glenn Sheriff (4 goals) playing at number 2, Jake Daniels (4 goals) at number 3 and John Paul Clarkin (7 goals) at Back. For Gaston, Jean Paul Luksic was joined by Ollie Cork (3 goals) at number 2, Pepe Heguy (6 goals) at 3 and Ollie Cudmore (6 goals) at Back.

In a very closely fought contest, JP Clarkin raced away to put the first mark on the scoreboard for DJ Cats within seconds of the match starting. A spot penalty awarded to Gaston enabled Ollie Cudmore to equalize and an easy stick and ball between the posts gave him his second goal. At the start of chukka 2, JP Clarkin equalized for D J Cats from a 30 yard penalty. Cudmore answered with a lofty 40 yard penalty shot for 3-2 but by the end of the chukka JP Clarkin received a big pass from Jake Daniels and obliged with a neat field goal to even the scores once more, chukka 2 closing at 3-3. Tit for tat went the goals through the third chukka and at half time it was 5-5 with spectators having enjoyed a thoroughly competitive first half.

In chukka 4, a good team effort enabled a super goal from David Turner to take the lead again for D J Cats. A whistle in their favour saw JP Clarkin score from a 30 yard penalty and extend the lead to 7-5. D J Cats won the ball from the throw-in but Pepe Heguy stole it and passed to Cudmore. Daniels tried to snatch it back but Cudmore was fouled and the whistle blew. Cudmore lost no time in taking the 40 yard penalty awarded and pulling a goal back for Gaston to make it 7-6 in their favour. There was a scramble from the throw-in and the whistle blew as the chukka ended.

A throw-in started the fifth and Daniels steered the ball down the boards, but Cudmore was soon onto him and with Cork’s help turned the ball and shot at goal. His shot went wide. In came the ball again and a huge shot at goal from Sherriff for D J Cats went wide. With Heguy’s support, Cork sent a big shot forward, caught up with it and made a super goal to level the scores at 7-7. Cudmore raced away from the throw-in to be stopped by Clarkin. In the ensuing play, the whistle blew and D J Cats were awarded a free hit taken by Clarkin, Sherriff moved it on but Clarkin’s shot at goal went wide. Heguy brought the ball in, Clarkin intercepted and tried again. Once more there was a whistle and this time a free hit in front of the goal saw Glenn Sherriff put 8-7 on the scoreboard in D J Cats’ favour. With a minute to go, Cudmore backed the ball away from Clarkin and sent it to Heguy who shot a super ball between the posts for 8-8! With both sides tussling for possession from the throw-in, the hooter sounded and the match was forced into an extra chukka.

The final result was soon decided by a great team effort from Gaston which saw the patron Jean Paul Luksic send the ball between the posts for the winning goal and take a 9-8 victory for his side. Mrs Annette Bethell presented the Bryan Bethell Cup in memory of her late husband, father of the club’s Polo Manager Chris Bethell. Bounty owned and played by Ollie Cudmore won the Best Playing Pony prize sponsored by Stephen’s Polo Division. Jean Paul Luksic picked up the Most Valuable Player Award.