The Lodsworth Village Cup drew to a close on Sunday 23rd August on Ambersham 2, with Mono Polo taking on Truth.
Riding out at 1 for Mono Polo was Derek Maclennan (0), with Hamish Maclennan (1) at 2, Nicolas Leal (2) at 3, and 1-goaler Cody Jones at Back. Jones was substituted for Finlay Blackwell (0) in the second chukka following an injury. In the purple shirts for Truth were Ruth Leland (-1) at 1, Tom Leland (0) at 2, Harold Hodges (1) at 3, and Stephen McCraith (2) at Back.
The first chukka got off to a closely contested start, with both sides producing strong defensive play. However, a mistake from Mono Polo allowed Hodges to convert a 60-yard penalty, giving Truth an early 1-0 lead.
Hodges continued his momentum into the second, opening with a 40-yard penalty. Despite this, Leal managed to seal a breakaway goal midway through the chukka to put Mono Polo on the scoreboard. McCraith then continued Truth’s push, intercepting the ball and running through to goal, before Hodges converted another penalty. Truth headed into half-time with a healthy 4-1 lead.
The third chukka opened with another breakaway goal from Hodges to extend Truth’s advantage. McCraith continued to apply the pressure, finding the goal with a well-struck shot to take Truth into the final chukka leading 6-1.
Mono Polo staged a strong comeback in the last, despite another opening penalty from Hodges. Blackwell kicked off Mono Polo’s spree of goals with a well-worked run to goal, followed swiftly by a team goal finished by Hamish Maclennan. Leal then completed Mono Polo’s hat-trick of goals with a 30-yard penalty conversion. Despite their best efforts, however, the team in red could not close the gap, with Truth eventually claiming an 8-4 victory.
The Lodsworth Village Cup was presented to an overjoyed Ruth Leland by Clare Maclennan. The X-Zony Best Playing Pony Award was presented to GiGi (ROR name: Graces Girl), played and owned by Harold Hodges.
