the pitch was small, the plays were scrappy and no one could get a grip. The US took advantage of this with two quick goals from a penalty and from the field by the US captain, Dan Keating. At the first change over Charlie and the Chairmen urged the team not to worry but that it took some getting used to, but in the second chukker, the result was largely the same, finishing 4-1 down with only a 30 yard penalty conversion by Omar putting England on the board.


The highlight of the second chukker was Charlie riding a seemingly pretty grey that loved to go in reverse even when being pushed to go forward. One stoppage in play was a result of his horse actually reversing as far as the boards, knocking them over, and heading directly for a terrified crowd. Nevertheless, the fearless horseman that Charlie is (and having become accustomed to far more violent creatures in NYC earlier that week), he managed to control the game more in the 3rd chukker. England came out of the gates quickly, with Seb executing on his task of blocking with absolute perfection and the Chairman thwarting most of the US attacks with very effective open back shots to his team mates. Penalty conversions from Charlie and Omar and two goals from the field from Seb and Omar put England at 5-4 at half time. The team was seemingly getting its rhythm and getting used to the field. Despite the dis-allowance of the most perfectly hit corner that sailed 25 feet above the goal line and seemingly through the middle from Charlie, the foursome from Ham truly never looked back.


Playing as disciplined and classic polo as possible with back-shots, half swings and controlled distribution of the ball, the team mounted attack after attack. Some superb goals in varied styles – some tapped in on break aways, some from as far out as half way -- and controlled penalty execution from both Charlie and Omar in the 4th chukker put England up 9-5. As the fifth chukker opened, the humidity had reached a high and as the team pushed forward on more attacking play, it began to spit with rain and visibility began to dwindle both on the field


with foggy lenses and off the field with ominous clouds moving in. This did not discourage our boys and as the grey set into the 5th, an off the line and out of the air clearance in squash shot fashion from Omar (prompting Will to call him a “hero” and vindicating his very existence after the mallet incident) and a perfect, aged-to-perfection like a good single malt swing from the Chairman in front of the halfway line gave England an 11-7 advantage going into the final chukker. The team just needed to hang on, but with true grit and an incredible amount of effort given the blistering heat encouraged and inspired by the hard working Seb, when the final whistle blew, the final score ended at 14-8 in England’s favour.


The Podium Ecstatic from the win, drenched in sweat and pride, our boys took to the field to do the obligatory “High Fiving” around the pitch. High fives were given and distributed around the side-lines to all the spectators by both teams. We are relatively positive no babies were slapped in the process this year, but we haven’t had confirmation in the form of therapy bills to Ham Polo Club as of yet. The team members were prodded for autographs, pictures and kisses – which was really no different for any of the four of them as any other day, but they acted very graciously and obliged the adoring crowd . Charlie signed some breasts but Seb was more of a rear end kind of guy. Hugs and congratulations were abounding and the revenge Mission from the previous several losses at Newport was complete when the Chairman raised the cup amidst sprays of champagne and a cheering crowd. (Charlie then ruined the moment by actually breaking the trophy, but we won’t tell anyone.)


As ever our sincerest thanks to our superb House Hosts Lowie and William Crisp, the Newport Polo Club, Dan and Agnes for an amazing event and most importantly those generous owners who had blind faith and generosity to lend us their steeds – We thank you one and all.


THE LONDON POLO CLUB


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