Wednesday 15 July set the scene for the much-anticipated Benson Cup Final, with Bad Boys Polo Team taking on Trefoil on a beautifully sunny Brooks Field.
Riding out at 1 in the green shirts for Bad Boys Polo Team was Mathieu Van Delden Jnr (0), with Mathieu Van Delden (0) at 2, 4-goaler Ollie Cork at 3, and Bautista Sorzana (4) at Back. Wearing the number 1 shirt for Trefoil was Jonathan Gates (0), Ashley Glennie (1) at 2, Harry Muddle (3) at 3, and Glenn Sherriff (4) at Back.
The first chukka saw a very strong start from Bad Boys Polo Team. Cork opened the scoring with a successful 40-yard penalty conversion, followed by a 30-yard penalty from Sorzana. Bad Boys topped off an impressive opening chukka with a breakaway goal from Cork, taking them into the second chukka with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Trefoil then dominated the second chukka, showing renewed defensive strength to prevent any further advances from Bad Boys. Field goals from Muddle and Gates brought Trefoil back into contention, and they went into halftime trailing by just one goal at 3-2.
The third chukka was evenly contested by both sides. Sorzana opened the scoring with a 40-yard penalty, which was quickly answered by a 40-yard penalty from Sherriff. Sherriff then added a last-minute strike to level the scores at 4-4 heading into the final chukka.
The decisive fourth chukka saw both teams give it everything, but Trefoil proved untouchable. Glennie struck first under pressure, before Sherriff added another goal. A final breakaway goal from Glennie sealed a superb 7-4 victory for Trefoil.
The Benson Cup was presented to a delighted Jonathan Gates by Anna Tajder. The X-Zony Best Playing Pony Rug was presented to 6-year-old Miranda, played by Bautista Sorzana and owned by Clare Milford Haven.
