TEAMS ANNOUNCED FOR THE VERY FIRST AUDI INTERNATIONAL OF THE SEASON AT BEAUFORT POLO CLUB
In the first Audi International of the season, England will play against the Commonwealth for The Golden Jubilee Cup at Beaufort Polo Club, near Tetbury, on 16 June as part of a weekend ‘Gloucestershire Festival of Polo’ (16–17 June) and the teams have just been announced.
The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), the governing body of the sport in the UK, has selected the following for the England team – Mark Tomlinson (captain), together with Max Routledge, Nacho Gonzalez and Tom Morley. The Commonwealth opposition, supported by Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, will include Australian Robbie Archibald, South African duo Gareth Evans and Tom de Bruin plus England’s James Harper. With eight such talented players on the pitch, the crowd is guaranteed a fast, exciting and competitive four chukka match. England will undoubtedly be hoping to reclaim the title this year having beaten a strong New Zealand team in 2011.
Following the Audi International, spectators will be treated to two additional polo games. An England Ladies team will take to the field against a Young England side before a third and final match of the day between two university teams – the Royal Agricultural College and University of the West of England, Bristol.
Sunday’s feature match will see a Royal Salute team and a Beaufort side compete for the The Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club Charity Cup title, while raising funds for a selection of charities – Tusk, The Child Bereavement Charity and Well Child – whose Patrons are The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Last year’s charity match saw a Royal Salute team, including Prince Harry, take on Beaufort, with the latter winning seven goals to five in an exciting and fast paced game.
Although the polo is the centrepiece of the weekend, the ‘Gloucestershire Festival of Polo’ includes many more attractions including a shopping village, various eateries and a selection of children’s amusements.