TEAM HPC ENGLAND TRIUMPHS AT THE 2009 SHANGHAI TANG WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL POLO TOURNAMENT
Team HPC England* defeated Team Singapore* in the 2009 Shanghai Tang Women’s International Gold Cup Match (0 to 2 goal).
The quartet from Team HPC England included team captain, Kirsty Readhead (1-goal handicap) and team members Kelly Keyte (1-goal), Caroline Wright (-1 goal) and Rebecca Finn (-1 goal). Team Singapore was represented by foreign polo professional, Sherri-lyn Hensman from Zimbabwe (2 goal handicap), the highest rated polo player in this tournament, and five amateur players, Lynly Fong (0-goal), Caroline Link (0-goal), Charlotte Marson (-1 goal), Justine Tan (-1 goal) and Anna Lowndes (-1 goal). The competition was played at an intense pace on the wet, heavy grounds at the Singapore Polo Club. The score at the end of the second chukka was tied at 2-2, but HPC England displayed great skill to score three goals in the third chukka and established what would be an insurmountable lead. Although Team Singapore put up a spirited and determined challenge, they were only able to score one more goal in the last chukka, with the match ending 5-3 in favour of HPC England.
The Most Valuable Player Award was presented to Kirsty Readhead (Team HPC England) for the Professional category and Charlotte Marson (Team Singapore) for the Amateur category, while the Best Playing Pony went to May Day, which is owned by the Singapore Polo Club.
The Gold Cup match was threatened by thunderstorms in the morning, but the darks clouds cleared and more than 400 guests, including members, sponsors, socialites, and foriegn dignitaries, joined together for the excitement and glamour of this prestigious event.
The match commenced with Minister S. Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Trade & Industry and Education performing the traditional throw-in ceremony with the President of the Singapore Polo Club, Mr. Iqbal Jumabhoy and the Executive Chairman of Shanghai Tang, Mr. Raphael le Masne de Chermont. The guests in attendance were also given a quick introduction to polo and a fashion showcase by Shanghai Tang. All were treated to a generous supply of Laurent-Perrier champagne, Stella Artois draught beer, Appletiser, Evian water and canapés courtesy of the official tournament hotel, Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts.
The winning and runner-up teams from the Gold Cup match received great prizes sponsored by Shanghai Tang. Prizes were also awarded to all the participating teams in the Silver League. A unique Shanghai Tang Duffle Bag valued at over S$400 was awarded to Ms. Claire Chauvel for winning the Best Hat Award. The festivities continued well into the night with a BBQ and after-party, including the music “exploits” of renowned local DJ, Chris Ho at field-side.
This is the third time that Shanghai Tang has sponsored this premier women’s international polo tournament as Title Sponsor. In addition to Shanghai Tang, the Singapore Polo Club would also like to thank Laurent-Perrier Champagne (Official Champagne), Evian (Official Water), Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts (Official Hotel Group), Stella Artois & Appletiser (Official Beer & Sparkling Juice), lush spa (Prize Sponsor), Beschlé (Official Couture Chocolate) and the Singapore Tourism Board for their support of this tournament.