Saturday 1st August saw Senzaltro and White Crane Black ride onto Lawns 2 to contest the 2026 Harrison Cup Final, with the closely fought encounter going right down to the final seconds.
Riding out at number 1 for Senzaltro was Jules Van Vegchel (0), with Catalina Lavinia (2) at 2, Simon Prado (6) at 3 and 7-goaler Teodoro Lacau at Back. For White Crane Black, Jasmine Calvert-Ansari (0) wore the number 1 shirt, alongside Marcus Cork (3) at 2, Mackenzie Weisz (6) at 3 and Felipe Dabas (6) at Back.
Dabas opened the scoring just a minute into the first chukka with a long shot to goal. Prado quickly responded with an under-pressure strike to goal, before Lacau converted a 30-yard penalty to put Senzaltro ahead. Lacau then rounded off the opening chukka with a breakaway goal, giving Senzaltro an early 3-1 advantage.
The second chukka was more evenly contested. Cork struck in the opening minute for White Crane Black, but Lacau answered with an accurate 60-yard penalty before adding another huge shot to goal from beyond halfway. A late goal from Cork kept White Crane Black within touching distance as Senzaltro headed into the third chukka leading 5-3.
An early foul by Senzaltro gifted Weisz the chance to reduce Senzaltro’s lead with a converted 30-yard penalty. Dabas then continued White Crane Black’s momentum by scoring the equaliser. Lacau immediately restored Senzaltro’s lead with a goal from the line-out, but Weisz converted another 30-yard penalty in the closing moments to level the scores at 6-6 going into half-time.
Senzaltro emerged from the break with renewed determination. Prado opened the scoring with a run to goal, before a couple of White Crane Black fouls allowed Lacau to convert a 40-yard penalty and capitalise on a spot hit to extend the lead. Combined with unstoppable defensive play, Senzaltro entered the final chukka holding a commanding 9-6 advantage.
The fifth and final chukka produced a remarkable comeback form White Crane Black. Dabas finished a team goal before Weisz battled through heavy traffic to score, reducing White Crane’s gap to a single goal. Lacau once again responded instantly, scoring straight from the line-out to restore Senzaltro’s lead. Refusing to give in, Weisz scored two consecutive goals to draw White Crane Black level at 10-10. With the crowd on the edge of their seats and only seconds remaining, Dabas took the ball and ran to goal, securing a dramatic 11-10 victory for White Crane Black.
The Harrison Cup was presented to a delighted Jasmine Calvert-Ansari by Dilly Stewart. The Gusbourne Most Valuable Player Award was presented to Teodoro Lacau in recognition of his outstanding performance for Senzaltro, while the Polo Times Best Playing Pony Rug and the Brooke Joynson Cup were awarded to Gata, played by Teodoro Lacau.
