HPA NAMES ENGLAND TEAM TO FACE COMMONWEALTH
The HPA has named the 25-goal team that will represent England in their annual International match for the Royal Salute Coronation Cup at Guards Polo Club on Saturday, July 29th. England’s opponents will be an almost unchanged, 26-goal, Commonwealth team, winners of this prestigious trophy in 2016. In that memorable match, the Commonwealth team beat the home side 12-11 in a fast-paced and thrilling game.
James Beim, who is currently having a superb high-goal season with El Remanso, will captain England for the third time and his 10th as a member of the England team on this day. Max Charlton, the UK’s highest handicapped player, currently rated at seven goals, retains his England shirt along with James Harper, who made his debut in this event last year and has been impressing everyone in the high-goal, playing alongside James Beim in the El Remanso team. The fourth member of the England squad for the Coronation Cup match sees the return of the former England captain Luke Tomlinson, currently playing at back with La Indiana, the Queen’s Cup finalists. Tomlinson’s experience of the big occasion -he is the most successful England polo captain ever- will be an added advantage to the home side.
David Woodd, Chief Executive of the HPA said: “Both teams produced a brilliant performance last year with England only beaten by a well prepared and equally tough team in the final minutes of the sixth chukka. Three of our players are having a very good season in the 22-goal which is always a help and all our players should be well mounted so, although we are a goal less and playing open, we are well placed to win this coveted trophy back from the Commonwealth.”
The Commonwealth team will again be captained by the Canadian International Fred Mannix Jr. He will be joined by Pakistan professional Hissam Ali Hyder (Namoo), a Board Director at Guards Polo Club, and John Paul Clarkin, the New Zealand Captain, both of whom played last year. The only change to Commonwealth team line-up from last year is that Australian five-goaler Dirk Gould has replaced South African Chris Mackenzie who is unable to play.
With the Swarovski England Ladies also in action against the USA Ladies, playing for the Diamond Jubilee Trophy in the Thai Polo Club Ladies International, the Coronation Cup Day offers two premier sporting events. Complementing these games is a variety of hospitality and ticket options to ensure a perfect day for players and spectators in the spectacular surroundings of Windsor Great Park.
The Teams:
England: James Beim (Capt) 6, Max Charlton 7, James Harper 6, Luke Tomlinson 6. Total: 25.
Commonwealth: Hissam Ali Hyder ‘Namoo’ 6, Dirk Gould 5, John Paul Clarkin 7, Fred Mannix (Capt) 8. Total: 26.