Young, Dumb & Broke and Regal Warriors win at RCBPC
On Sunday 3 December, RCBPC hosted the first weekend of HPA winter tournaments, the 3 and 12 Goal HPA National Club Championships.
In the first match of the day, the 3 Goal Final, two teams of young and indomitable players took to the field, to battle it out for the coveted trophy! Windlebrook Farm, were in theory the stronger team, with experienced James Mann at back and Ash Farm’s own Georgia Sweeney at number two, but as the match progressed it became evident that the home team Young, Dumb & Broke were looking for the win. Genevieve Meadows stormed up and down the arena alongside Nell Jacob, both scoring perfectly timed goals to keep ahead of the Windlebrook Farm team at all times. As the teams went into the final chukka it was 9-9 on the scoreboard. In a flurry of activity, 11 goals were scored in the final chukka, but Windlebrook Farm just couldn’t catch the home team, and with a final goal from the team in white, Young, Dumb & Broke took home the trophy, 16-15. Nell Jacob was awarded The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player whilst Genevieve Meadow’s pony Anita was presented with the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug.
Following a brief mulled wine and BBQ break the 12 Goal regulars Mighty Titans and the 2016 HPA 12 Goal National Club Championship winners Regal Warriors marched into the arena for the rematch of the year. Both teams came out of the starting blocks like bullets from a gun, as each player battled it out for possession. Max Charlton, playing all of his 9 goal arena handicap, began the scoring for Regal Warriors, perfectly placing the ball four times in the first chukka, all of which were answered by the expert duo of Pedro de Lamare and Adolfo Casabal. As tensions heightened and Casabal’s voice with it, Regal Warriors took control of the match, with perfect team plays. Mighty Titans couldn’t keep up with Charlton’s goal-scoring pace and as the final chukka came to a close, Raph Singh and Celio Garcera sealed the Titan’s fate with two goals apiece. The final bell sounded and with a roar from the crowd of supporters, the two-time champions, Regal Warriors reinstated the HPA 12 Goal National Club Championship silverware on their mantelpiece with a resounding 20-14 score.
Max Charlton was awarded The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player whilst his pony Twilight was presented with the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug.
The 3 Goal HPA National Club Championship Final Teams:
Young, Dumb & Broke (3): Will Newman (0), Genevieve Meadows (1) & Nell Jacob (2)
Windlebrook Farm (3): Charley Howell (0), Georgia Sweeney (1) & James Mann (2)
The 12 Goal HPA National Club Championship Final Teams:
Mighty Titans (12): Jess Van Der Velden (0), Pedro De Lamare (5) & Adolfo Casabal (7)
Regal Warriors (12): Raph Singh (2), Celio Garcera (1) & Max Charlton (9)
Photograph: Regal Warriors won the 12 Goal HPA National Club Championship and Young, Dumb & Broke won the 3 Goal. By Cymon Skinner & Polo Times