Sunday the 21st of September set the scene for the last game of the season, The Farewell Cup Final, with Gould taking on SafeRock on a very busy Ambersham 1.
Riding out for the second time that day for Gould were Gussie Gould (0) at 1, Ed Barlow (0) at 2, Jack Aldridge (2) at 3, and 4-goaler Jimmy Wood at Back. In the number 1 shirt for SafeRock was Ollie Hancock (0), Duncan Hotston (1) at 2, Harry Revell (2) at 3, and Matt Evetts (3) at Back.
The score started at Gould 7-SafeRock 6 to ensure a fair start, as the two teams had already faced each other in the semifinals the day before.
The first chukka saw a strong start from SafeRock, with Hotston equalising in the early minutes. Wood quickly responded with two breakaway goals for Gould, but Revell kept SafeRock in the fight with a pair of late goals just before the buzzer, taking the score to 9-9 heading into the second chukka. The second was a lower-scoring affair, with both sides evenly matched. Aldridge secured a pressured goal in the first minute, but Evetts answered with a field goal of his own to keep the scores tied 10-10 going into halftime.
Following a lively divot stomp from the masses of supporters enjoying the end-of-season festivities, play resumed. Wood struck first in the second minute with another under-pressure goal, but a costly foul by Gould awarded SafeRock a Penalty 1. Evetts then added another last-minute goal, taking SafeRock into the lead 12-11 heading into the final chukka. Revell extended SafeRock’s lead early in the fourth, but a Penalty 1 in favour of Gould pulled them back within reach. Wood then produced an unbelievable spot hit, followed by a long shot to goal just before the buzzer, levelling the scores at 13-13 and calling for an extra chukka. With everyone on the edge of their seats, the game continued with both sides playing evenly. But it was a determined Evetts who broke free and scored the decisive goal for SafeRock, sealing a dramatic 14-13 victory.
The Farewell Cup was presented to an overjoyed Ollie Hancock on behalf of SafeRock by Jane Robinson. The X-Zony Best Playing Pony Rug was awarded to JB Puddles, played and owned by Harry Revell, and cared for by groom Chloe Miller.
