US
Team named to defend Townsend International Challenge Cup
By
Alex Webbe
Tommy Biddle, who will be returning to the International
Polo Club again this year on Steve Lefkowitz’s 20-goal Heathcote polo team will
be taking a United States arena polo team to the Empire Polo Club in Indio
(Palm Springs), California on Saturday, January 12th in defense of
the Townsend International Challenge Cup.
Biddle, the only 10-goal arena polo player in the game
today, and only the fourth 10-goal arena polo player in history will be joined
by Kris Kampsen (7) and Rob Yackley (6).
They will face the English team of Chris Hyde (9), Oliver Hipwood (7)
and Max Charlton (7), with Sebastian Dawnay (8) as an alternate.
In their 2011 meeting, the United States handily defeated
the English, 15-9, reminding them that the game of arena polo was created in the
United States back in 1876.
Chris
Hyde will be the only starter from the 2011 roster (Dawnay played in 2011 and
will appear as a substitute), being joined by 7-goalers Oliver Hipwood and Max
Charlton.
The
historic arena polo cup was first offered for competition in 1923 when John
Townsend offered it up for international competition between England and the
United States. It was successfully
defended by the United States in 1923, 2004, 2008 and 2011.
This
will be first time appearances for US team members Kampsen and Yackley, but
Biddle is confident in their abilities in the arena.
“We’ll
be ready for them,” promised Biddle. “I
have no intention of losing this match.”