An action-packed Easebourne Cup Final, played out on Ambersham 2, saw Vendetta take on Bad Boys Polo Team on the 30th May.
At number 1 for Vendetta was Gussie Gould (0), substituting for Garrie Renucci, with young Andino Donoso (1) at 2, Ed Hitchman (3) at 3, and Jimmy Wood (4) at Back. In the green shirts for Bad Boys Polo Team was Mathieu Van Delden Jnr (0) at 1, Mathieu Van Delden (0) at 2, Ollie Cork (4) at 3, and 4-goaler Bautista Sorzana at Back.
The first chukka proved to be a high-scoring affair, with an opening goal for Gussie Gould in the first minute for Vendetta, alongside an out-the-lineout shot by Hitchman. However, two goals apiece for Cork and Sorzana gave Bad Boys a strong 4-2 lead going into the second.
Vendetta found their rhythm in the second with an opening goal by Hitchman, followed by a successfully converted 40-yard penalty by Wood to equalise, but a last-minute breakaway goal out the lineout by Cork left Bad Boys ahead 5-4 heading into half-time.
The third chukka opened with a 30-yard penalty in favour of Bad Boys to once again give them a two-goal margin, but a determined Vendetta equalised once again with a successfully converted penalty by Wood and a last-second cut shot to goal by Hitchman, leaving the scores at 6-6 going into the last.
The fourth chukka had everyone on the edge of their seats as the two sides traded goals throughout. With two more goals added by each team, the scores remained locked at 8-8 at the final bell, forcing the match into an extra chukka. Defensive play was seen by both sides in the extra chukka, but a costly foul by Bad Boys midway through handed Wood the perfect opportunity to successfully convert a 30-yard penalty, securing a dramatic 9-8 victory for Vendetta.
Gussie Gould stepped forward to receive the Easebourne Cup on behalf of Garrie Renucci, presented by Anthony Coupland, founder of Yerba Spirit, who also generously provided the prizes. The X-Zony Best Playing Pony Award was given to Chappa Annie, played by Ollie Cork and owned by The Bad Boys Polo Team.
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