England wins Arena Test Match at Hickstead
On Saturday 27th February England made it a hat trick and took the prestigious Bryan Morrison trophy for the third consecutive year against a superb Scotland side.
Kindly supported by De Vere Seasonal Ownership, on paper this game appeared as though it might prove a tough one, it had the makings of a spectacular and it didn’t disappoint. For the first time in the history of the arena version of the sport, a 23-goal game of polo was hosted at a competitive, International level. Sadly this year a full international side was not available to play so the HPA decided to have a battle of the Nations with Scotland taking up the charge against England. This meant that playing in the International Arena Test Match this year were six of the best players that participate in the UK arena polo season year in year out.
The game started in spectacular style with fast paced open polo. Both sides took the charge but Scotland looked to have control early on with Chris Hyde leading the field from the back.
The next two chukkas were even faster and exciting with some superb skill on display. Horse-power really played a part in the large arena, with some great turns of speed especially by Jonny Good who flew from one end of the arena turning defence into prompt attack.
Rarely do you witness so many backhands being played in an arena match. This aided the speed of the game and made for some great team polo. Balls were being played out of the air, flicked to team mates sticks with superb accuracy, and the crowd really were enjoying every second of the match.
Scotland went into the fourth chukka leading, but the England side were never too far behind challenging the goal mouth and mounting the pressure. Chris Hyde made some great saves for the Scottish and maintained calm and collected sending his team mates Jamie Le Hardy and Howard Smith charging forward. The English kept pushing forward with Morrison playing some great backhands in defence. Seb Dawnay had some near misses and finally England found their way through, tying the scores in the dying seconds. Extra time was now upon us, and what better way to finish such an exciting game.
The ball was thrown in and Scotland made a charge. Hyde played the ball fast but controlled, at one point he had three English players around him and somehow he managed to avoid hooks and fierce ride offs to carry the ball to within inches of the goal. England made the save and after two minutes of play the English team made the charge down the arena with Good sealing victory 14-13.The Bryan Morrison Trophy was awarded to the winning team by Greta Morrison, assisted by John Bunn and Michael Amoore. Jonny Good was presented the prize for the Most Valuable Player, a ‘stick-rug’ kindly sponsored by Full Swing Polo. The Best Playing Pony award was subsequently presented to Jonny’s groom, Augusto, and his pony ‘Passion.’
Earlier in the day a 12-goal match was played between National Club Championship victors Equibuild against Druids Lodge. Druids Lodge took the lead early on with some great skills on display by Eden Ormerod who avoided the Equibuild defence to find the goal several times in the first two chukkas.
After half time Equibuild seemed to find their winning form and with Bown and Kidd combining so well, made some great passes that led to several goals giving them the lead going into the final chukka. With just one goal in it Druids Lodge fought to bring the scores level but Equibuild managed to turn some great defence into rapid attack and take a two-goal lead. Ormerod fought hard to bring one goal back but Equibuild held out to win 18-17.