The El Rosario 9 goal tournament was played as a league by three teams over three days. Giles Ormerod filled in for his son Maurice on the first day. Leon Allen and Marcus Goess- Saurau producing a plethora of goals for their respective teams. 17 goals apiece the two teams finished. Lord Rothermere’s team Ferne Park with James Stephenson and Eden Ormerod won a great match against a  powerful Druids lodge team with George McCorkell and Leon Allen strongly supported by Di Jack. They ran out overall winners beating Watersfield 12-10 on the final day. Second place went to Druids Lodge on goals scored since both teams had drawn one and lost one by the same goal difference. This was Eden Ormerod’s last game for the winter since he is off to Argentina for the new year. He has been extremely powerful this year and a conundrum for the handicapers since his handicap cannot be raised over 6 goals without playing some high goal up at the Royal Berkshire polo club.

Four teams entered the Lismore Trophy, 3-5 goal tournament. Watersfield used all their experience to beat Badger boys in a beautifully played semi final. They faced Fairhaven who had beaten a Druids Lodge team in the semis. Clare Macnamarra was back to her old self working some difficult goals. Esther Hunt is getting stronger all the time combining well with Mark Burgon’s Experience they lead by 4 goals going into the last chukka. Fairhaven had youth on their side. Watersfield were heard to say rather exhaustedly that ‘the game was not over yet!’ as they went on for the last. Harold Hodges who has been very strong this year turned on the tap producing four goals. Alex Mains suddenly started to find the goal and Erica added the nail in the coffin taking the team to a 13 to 12 win. A great finish to a most enjoyable game. The subsidiary final was very much enjoyed by both players and spectators. Toby Hannam returning from Scottish university polo worked hard at marking 4 gaol Scottish trained George McCorkell . Henry Wormesley Smiith scored some amazing goals ably supported by Rex Woodhouse who provided the backbone to the team. They ran out losers to the Druids Lodge team with both Robin Ormerod and Courtney Bosley working hard to clear space for the considerable skills of George McCorkell who was well mounted having access to some of the stronger Druids Lodge ponies.  

Students from Exeter and UWE turned up in force to their end of term Christmas Tournament, 6 teams battling in a league before playing in the finals. An open match was also held with some very fast and competitive polo, Exeter taking victory in the closing seconds to beat UWE 12-11.

Next tournament: The Pig Trophy 2/3 January 3-5 Goal

The Sandpool Half Term Cup was well supported by the Junior’s, with 7 teams playing across 3 levels. Royal Artillery, West Brook Farm and the New Forest running out the winners of the weekend.

The Polo Times provided coverage for the Polo-art.com Poppy Sunday Trophy, with some great prizes given by Polo-art.com. In the final of the 5-7 goal Markus Goess-Saurau, Di Jack and Leon Allen of Adaptive beating the all amateur side of Watersfield/Ridgebacks 17-12.

The 3-5 goal final of the Barfoot Bottle featured a battle between Ferne Park and Renshaw, Renshaw taking victory 15-9.

Moon Tyger Tea kindly sponsored the Chatanooga Salver 6-9 goal, Watersfield lost in the final to Fairhaven 16-7. The subsidiary final was a much closer affair with Druids coming away the vitors 17-16 against Ridgebacks.

Afon House Chiropractic Trophy was a one day match, Badger Boys beating Watersfield 13-11. Thank you to Afon House for supporting the day and putting everyone ‘back together’ after the game.

The University League kicked off this month with more than 10 teams entering from Exeter, Bristol, UWE, RAC, and Southampton University. So far this has been well supported by both players and spectators and has provided some really fun and competitive polo.

Next tournament: The El Rosario 5/6 December 6-9 Goal