Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2013 University of Cambridge Takes the Championship with Harvard University in Second Place

Tianjin, China, 28 July 2013 – Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2013, which is being held from 23 to 28 July at Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, saw representation from polo teams from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Harvard University and Yale University.

The Club hopes that the tournament will raise the awareness of polo amongst the region’s youth and widen the horizons of Chinese youth and allow them to experience the beautiful game of polo as well as instil in them the values being driven off the back of polo. To inspire and groom young people by promoting the sport of polo to the next generation has been the Club’s polo development initiative.

Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2013 also provides a convenient platform for academic, cultural and social exchanges among representatives from the four universities, local students, parents as well as alumni.

An atmosphere of gaiety began to gradually develop as Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club members, invited guests as well as alumni from all four universities who have travelled specially to Tianjin to support their alma maters cheered for their favourite teams.

The opening match of the day saw University of Oxford play Yale University who were third and fourth on the league standings. His Excellency Mr Gustavo A. Martino, Argentinian Ambassador to China, did the honour of throwing the ball to begin the match.

The University of Oxford started strong, the first chukka had hardly begun when George Allen swiftly guided in a goal within seconds of the start of the match. Having been trounced by their opponents on the second match day with a score of 10-1, Yale University fought hard to take back the grounds they had lost as spectators were kept on their toes with several near goal attempts.

Although Yale University continued to play with passion and determination, it was clear that their attempt was futile as the lead was too great with the University of Oxford scoring another nine goals in the following chukkas, six of which were scored by Oxford’s star scorer George Allen. Undefeated, the youngsters from Yale pushed on with great tenacity, their efforts paid off with Rebecca Smith scoring Yale’s consolation goal two minutes before the end of the last chukka. The match ultimately ended with a 10-1 win for the University of Oxford.

In the final match, the University of Cambridge and Harvard University faced off in a fierce battle. Mr Peter Yunghanns, Guest of Honour, threw the ball to start the exciting match. The University of Cambridge was the first to score with Casra Labelle directing two goals in the first five minutes of the first chukka. Although the Americans tried to strike back, the English team intimidated their opponents in the second chukka with a goal by Sam Browne. Undeterred, the Americans made a comeback quickly with their first goal of the match, resulting in a score of 4-1 in favour of Cambridge after the first two chukkas.

Bumping shoulder to shoulder, the teams continued combat with each team scoring a goal almost one after the other in the third chukka. The University of Cambridge’s James Marshall scored the final goal of the tournament just seconds before the end of the last chukka to end the match-play with 8-3.

In the closing ceremony, all four teams were presented with tournament medals and souvenirs from Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club. The prize for Best Pony went to ‘GURI’, a beautiful pony that facilitated many of Sam Browne’s goals at the tournament. The crowd cheered as their favourite player Sam Browne of the University of Cambridge was named ‘Most Valuable Player’.

The champion of Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2013 – the University of Cambridge – was also presented with a tournament trophy and pennant by Mr Harvey Lee, Vice-Chairman of the Goldin Group.