he Historic Challenge Cup Final took place on Sunday, 3rd August, with Senzaltro facing DJ Cats in the last high-goal game of the Cowdray season.
Playing at number 1 in white for Senzaltro was Jules Van Vegchel (0), with Luke Wiles (4) at 2, Alfredo Bigatti (7) at 3, and Teodoro Lacau (7) at Back. For DJ Cats, David Turner (0) rode out at number 1, with Jake Daniels (5) at 2, Ned Hine (5) at 3, and 7-goaler Tomas Fernandez-Llorente at Back.
Crowds gathered on Lawns 2 to watch the 18-goal showdown, with world-class play from both sides. However, Senzaltro demonstrated their skill, maintaining a lead throughout and ultimately securing victory with a final score of 11-6½.
Wiles opened the game with a goal from the lineout, after picking up the ball from Daniels. However, Daniels responded with a neck-shot goal to put DJ Cats on the scoreboard. A late goal from Lacau, from over 60 yards out, left Senzaltro leading 2-1½ going into the second chukka. Senzaltro continued to pull ahead in the second, with two further field goals by Wiles and a standout breakaway goal from Lacau, whose speed couldn’t be matched by the defence, giving them a 3½-goal margin. The third was a more evenly matched chukka, with a pressured goal by Daniels in the 5th minute. However, Wiles kept his scoring streak alive with a nearside finish following a pass from Lacau, putting Senzaltro ahead 6-2½ going into halftime.
The fourth chukka followed a similar pattern to the first half, with Senzaltro extending their lead. An opening goal by number 1, Van Vegchel, was followed by a team effort finished by Lacau under strong defensive pressure. Although Llorente managed to respond with a field goal, the dominant Senzaltro side closed the chukka with another goal by Wiles, taking them into the final chukka leading 9-3½. The final chukka saw DJ Cats give it their all, with two successful 60-yard penalties by Hine and another field goal by Llorente. However, it wasn’t enough to catch the opposition, as Wiles scored his sixth goal and Lacau added another to seal an 11-6½ victory for Senzaltro.
A delighted Van Vegchel stepped forward to collect the Harrison Cup, dating back to 1938, presented to him by Ellie Lines. The Gusbourne MVP award was presented to Luke Wiles for his outstanding goal-scoring performance during the game, and his horse Esmeralda-played and owned by Wiles-was awarded the Polo Times Best Playing Pony Rug.
