HRH THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE ATTENDS AUDI POLO CHALLENGE IN CHESTER
Wednesday 01 June 2011 saw the first ever Audi Polo Challenge at Chester Racecourse attended by HRH The Duke of Cambridge. The glittering event was in aid of three charities – all of which The Duke of Cambridge is a Patron: English Schools‘ Swimming Association (ESSA), Skillforce and Mountain Rescue England & Wales.
In his first game of the season, The Duke of Cambridge led his Umbogo team and showcased impressive skills throughout the thrilling game. England player Mark Tomlinson and England manager Andrew Hine, together with Founder and owner of Thai Polo Club Harald Link, played alongside The Duke of Cambridge.
The Audi team was led by Australian professional Glen Gilmore, together with Chester Racecourse CEO Richard Thomas, young England player Ed Hitchman, and Founder of White Rose Polo Club East Yorkshire Hedley Aylott.
The final result was close but it was The Duke of Cambridge’s Umbogo (Swahili for buffalo) side who finished the match with an 8 – 5½ goal victory. Despite impressive goals from the Audi team, in particular from their two highest rated players, Ed Hitchman and Glen Gilmore, it was the consistent team work performed by Umbogo that ultimately gave them a confident win with The Duke of Cambridge scoring triumphantly for his side.
After the game, guests sat down to an exquisite dinner by renowned chef James Martin and were entertained by platinum selling artist – Paloma Faith.
The Game
It was The Duke of Cambridge’s Umbogo team who were first to have a shot at goal but sadly failed to find the posts. Glen Gilmore playing in the number four shirt for the Audi team took immediate advantage of Umbogo’s mistake, taking the ball down to the other end of the field and putting the first goal on the scoreboard for Audi, giving them a 1 ½ goal lead (note one). This was obviously the wake up call the Umbogo team needed, as moments later they produced ‘a reply’ to the Audi opening goal, which was swiftly followed by another goal thanks to England team member, Mark Tomlinson which took Umbogo in front for the first time in the match.
Audi was the quicker of the two teams out of the next line-out (note 2) and, despite an impressive neck shot clearance by The Duke of Cambridge, Audi managed to regain possession with Glen Gilmore producing a beautiful shot, sending the ball straight through the centre of the goal. Once again, the half a goal lead belonged to Audi.
It was strong teamwork between the young Ed Hitchman and the world famous Glen Gilmore that stole the show, the two of them working together to produce a spectacular third goal for the Audi side. Andrew Hine powered ahead scoring not just one, but two goals within a minute, Umbogo was very much back in the game at the time of the half time whistle.
With just half a goal’s difference, the players rode back onto the field for the third chukka. Again the Audi boys were the first to gain possession with Hedley Aylott taking the ball out of the line-out towards goal, leaving it for his higher rated team mate, Ed Hitchman to tap through the posts. A foul by Umbogo led to a penalty for Audi with Glen Gilmore producing a huge hit and sending the ball up the field, only to be intercepted by Mark Tomlinson. However, a backhand from Mark led to the play being switched once more, this time with Ed Hitchman taking control. The Audi team was now 5 ½ – 4 in front.
With just two minutes to go until the end of the third chukka, Mark Tomlinson showed the crowd just why he is one of the best player’s in England today, scoring with ease for Umbogo and ensuring his team would start the last chukka with just a half goal disadvantage.
An impressive goal from The Duke of Cambridge for the Umbogo team opened the fourth and final chukka. Audi was awarded a 40 yard penalty as a result of a foul by Umbogo which was saved brilliantly by Andrew Hine – despite this opportunity to recover their previous lead, it seemed from this moment on, the Audi team was unable to do any more damage – the Umbogo team now appeared to be firmly in control.
Andrew Hine followed The Duke of Cambridge’s example, adding another to the board for Umbogo and then Mark Tomlinson went on to score what was arguably the goal of the match, securing a 8 – 5 ½ goal victory for Umbogo moments before the final bell rang.
The Teams
Umbogo
1. Harald Link 0
2. Andrew Hine 5
3. Mark Tomlinson 7
4. The Duke of Cambridge 1
Total 13
Audi
1. Richard Thomas 0
2. Ed Hitchman 5
3. Glen Gilmore 7
4. Hedley Aylott 0
Total 12
The Players
Harald Link, zero goals, 55 years old
Founder and owner of the Thai Polo Club in Pattaya, Harald has played in many countries including Australia, Argentina, Malaysia and the UK. Two time winner of the Sylt Masters and the Rolex German Championships in Hamburg, Harald has had previous successes with his Thai Polo team in England, having competed in the 15 goal Harrison Cup and 18 goal Challenge Cup. This year for the first time in the UK, Harald is playing in the 22 goal Gold Cup with his team – Thai Polo. He will play alongside teammates Marcos and Lucas Di Paola together with Nico Pieres.
Andrew Hine, five goals, 46 years old
Andrew Hine, former captain and current manager of the England polo team has played polo for over 20 years in over 25 countries worldwide. He has played with and against many of the world’s leading professional polo players and Patrons. His successes include winning The Queen’s and Gold Cup, along with numerous Internationals with the England team. Andrew is the founding member and Chairman of the British Professional Players Association. Throughout his polo career, he has coached several high goal polo teams and set up and run Hine Polo Academy in Melbourne, Australia.
Mark Tomlinson, seven goals, 29 years old
Mark is the younger brother of England Captain, Luke. During his polo career he has won both major tournaments here in the UK – The Queen’s Cup in 2009 with Apes Hill and The Gold Cup in 2003 with Hildon Sport, both in which he played with Luke. Mark made his debut for the England National side back in 2004 and has been a regular on the team ever since, achieving wins over Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
HRH The Duke of Cambridge, one goal, 28 years old
Polo is in HRH The Duke of Cambridge’s blood. His father played on the UK high-goal circuit for over 10 years and his grandfather was among the finest players of the post-war years. Last autumn, he completed his helicopter training and is now a fully qualified Search and Rescue Pilot based at RAF Valley, Anglesey. While focusing on his military career, The Duke of Cambridge is not only a Patron to a number of charities such as The Tusk Trust and The Foundation but also President of The English Football Association and Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.
Richard Thomas, zero goals, 41 years old
Richard was introduced to polo over eight years ago and became a member of Cheshire Polo Club in 1993. Since then he has had various team victories including the National Eight Goal, Spring Cup at Cirencester, Wirral Ladies and the Flame Estates 12 Goal. In 1995, he formed the Chester Racecourse Polo Club which hosts the ever popular Coutts International.
Ed Hitchman, five goals, 26 years old
Ed started his polo career playing in the Pony Club like many of England’s current top players – the Club is the grass roots level of the sport. In 2007, Ed was a member of the all-English Apes Hill high goal team, playing in both The Queen’s and The Gold Cup. He spends his English winters in New Zealand where he is developing a string of ponies.
Glen Gilmore, seven goals, 40 years old
Glen has grown up in a polo family with his father Stuart representing Australia and playing internationally. Since becoming professional, Glen has been lucky enough to see the world – he has played in most of the major polo playing countries including the UK, USA, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand, Dubai, Thailand and Malaysia. When in England, Glen competes in high and medium goal tournaments. He has captained Australia in International matches for the last 10 years including in 2002 and 2005 when Australia were victorious against England in The Coronation Cup.
Hedley Aylot, zero goals, 40 years old
Hedley founded The White Rose Polo Club in East Yorkshire five years ago, after his parents introduced him into the polo world with a two hour session for his birthday. He is also the Patron of the Summit Polo team and regularly visits Argentina to play and oversee an embryo breeding programme. In 1995, Hedley founded Summit Media – one of the UK’s leading internet marketing companies which also runs a pioneering training and rehabilitation programme for prison inmates. He and the team have trained over 450 inmates over the last 11 years and many are now in full-time employment at Summit. All of Hedley’s staff and clients have the opportunity for free polo lessons every week throughout the summer at the company’s headquarters which also doubles as the polo club.
The Charities
ESSA
The English Schools’ Swimming Association was formed in 1949 and exists to encourage school children throughout England to learn to swim and compete in swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming at several levels including World and European School Games. Many of its participants have gone on to represent Great Britain in the Olympics.
SkillForce
SkillForce is an education charity working with 10,000 young people throughout 150 schools in Great Britain, working with children who are in danger of leaving school without the skills and qualifications they need to succeed in life.
Mountain Rescue England & Wales
The Mountain Rescue service in England & Wales is made up of 56 teams of highly trained volunteers on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, whatever the weather. Originally formed to service the needs of climbers and walkers in their areas, teams are now regularly called to assist the emergency services with natural disasters, missing persons or simply where access to a casualty might be difficult, making them community volunteers in the widest possible sense.