Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 – The Cambridge Challenge Continues at Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club
Cambridge take points defeating Oxford as London remain undefeated with a victory over Harvard
on the second day of the tournament
Cloudy skies and heavy rains earlier on the day provided some questions about the quality of play in today’s matches, but the weather was pleasantly cooler than usual and the rain had little effect on these elite athletes. The first match of today’s tournament, Cambridge, the returning champions, took on Oxford.
It was a slow start on this moist day with both teams showing solid defence. With the help of 2013’s Most Valuable Player, Sam Browne, and Angad Singh, Cambridge were able to overcome the 1.5 point handicap in the first chukka leaving the score 2-1.5. In the opening of the second chukka, Singh missed an easy penalty shot sitting in front of the goal. Both teams show outstanding defence throughout this chukka.
Cambridge had a great opportunity in the last seconds to score but the whistle was blown leaving the second chukka scoreless for both sides. Cambridge took back the momentum scoring 4 times in the third chukka, highlighted by Browne’s third point in the match, a beautiful drive down field displaying the acceleration and control he had over his pony Cocktail. In the fourth chukka, Oxford were able to subdue Cambridge’s offense. Tomas Reynal was able to put one through the posts on a penalty making it a 3.5 points’ match, but it wasn’t enough. Cambridge walked away with a win. Sam Browne stated that they were pleased with their performance coming into this tournament after a 6-week break and then celebrating his 21st birthday in China with teammates, but they were also aware that there was heavy competition ahead.
After a short intermission, riders from London and Harvard took to the field for what was to be another exciting match. London came out strong showing both great offense and spectacular defence from London’s new addition, Charles Scott, who arrived when the tournament was already underway. London scored 3 points in the first chukka taking a commanding 3-0 lead. Looking as if London would run away with this match, Harvard were able to put three through the posts as London’s offense went cold in the second chukka. The first half ended, but not before JP Meyer Jr could score one last goal as the bell rang, leaving Harvard trailing London by one point in an exciting first half chukka set off with London finding their rhythm as Charles Scott, showing some electric play in the second half, brook away for his second point of the match.
Johann Colloredo-Mansfeld missed a 60-yard penalty attempt as the ball soared wide right of the goal leaving the score 7-3 at the end of the third chukka. The fourth chukka set off with another long drive from Scott, who put it in off the left post for his third point of the match. Harvard’s Johann was able to drive and put one more through the posts with 41 seconds left on the clock, but it just wasn’t enough for this Harvard squad. London claimed victory with a 9-4 lead over Harvard to close out today’s tournament play.
The tournament will continue on the 17th with more exciting polo. We look forward to seeing how Stanford will fare against the strong Cambridge team, as well as who will come out victorious between Oxford and Yale.