THE ROYALS WIN AUDI POLO CHALLENGE TITLE ONCE AGAIN
This weekend (12 and 13 May 2012) officially kicked off the UK polo season with the Audi Polo Challenge at Coworth Park in Ascot. Over the weekend, more than 500 VIPs including Tom Hardy, Russell Crowe, Anna Friel, Rhys Ifans, Jesse Eisenberg, Rupert Penry-Jones, Phil Glenister and Chris O’Dowd, were treated to exciting polo featuring HRH the Duke of Cambridge and Prinice Harry – both of whom played in the Audi quattro team.
The combination of the stunning grounds at Coworth Park and the bright sunshine provided the perfect setting for the 10th anniversary of the the Audi Polo Challenge. This is an annual exclusive occasion, which has raised more than £1.4 million over the last decade for various charities supported by the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry. It is now an event that is firmly established on the English polo calendar.
Saturday’s guests were treated to a match featuring every member of the England polo team, who Audi has supported for the last seven years. The white shirted Audi quattro side saw the royals team up with the infamous Tomlinson brothers, Mark and Luke, who together have formed 50% of the England side for many years, with Luke having fulfilled the England Captain role for a number of seasons. Lining up against the two sets of brothers were the Audi ultra team with Malcolm Borwick and James Beim, also regulars in the England side, and talented youngsters, Ludo Ephson and Nico Bahlsen, both of whom proved they have huge potential.
Impressionist Rory Bremner welcomed the guests to the event, commenting that it was “the first official day of summer,“ before six goal player, Chris Hyde, took over on the microphone to commentate on the polo action.
After five minutes of even and competitive play, with neither team being able to find the posts, it was finally Audi ultra’s Nico Bahlsen, who opened the scoring, giving his team a 1-0 lead. However, it was not long until Luke Tomlinson got control of the ball, executing a perfect pass up to the Duke of Cambridge, who promptly sent the ball straight through the centre of the posts, equalling the score to a “ripple of applause,” just moments before the bell rang to signify the end of the first chukka.
Within the first minute of the second chukka, it was again Audi quattro, who were presented with a goal scoring opportunity and one that would take them into the lead for the first time in the match. A foul by one of the Audi ultra team members meant that a penalty was awarded to Audi quattro. It was Luke who took the penalty – he did so perfectly, taking his side into the lead with two goals to one. Audi quattro, however, was unable to enjoy being in the lead for long with Audi ultra quickly adding one to its side of the scoreboard.
Following half-time team talks, the players were back on the field and ready to go. During the third chukka, it was Prince Harry who showed just how talented a player he is, sending the perfect pass up to his Number Two, Mark Tomlinson who then scored the only goal in the third chukka, giving Audi quattro a one goal lead going into the fourth chukka and the final seven minutes of play.
With all still to play for, the final chukka was going to be exciting, and the two sides certainly did not disappoint the crowd. A quick goal from Malcolm Borwick made the scores equal before Prince Harry picked up a pass from Luke, taking Audi quattro into the lead once more. Yet, a mistake from Audi quattro meant Audi ultra was awarded a spot hit penalty, just in front of goal, which Malcolm hit through with ease, and yet again, with just 3 minutes left of play, there was nothing in it. Prince Harry continued to impress the crowd with his “silky skills,” sending a huge under the neck shot, not an easy one to pull off, up to Mark, who calmly tapped the ball through the posts, hoping that with just one minute to go that would have secured them a 5-4 victory. Sadly for Audi quattro, one minute was too long as Malcolm had time to find the posts once again, meaning Saturday’s Audi Polo Challenge ended in a diplomatic draw.
Sunday’s match was much quicker to get underway with the Audi quattro team, featuring Prince Harry, the Duke of Cambridge, New Zealand’s captain John Paul Clarkin and Ed Hitchman, scoring a huge four goals in the first chukka compared to Audi ultra’s zero. With two goals from Ed Hitchman and a goal from each of the royals, it appeared as if this match was going to be easy for the Audi quattro boys.
With both teams back on the field for the second chukka, it was again the Audi quattro foursome, who were on the first on the attack with their Number Two, Ed Hitchman, finding the posts for the third time in the match, giving them a huge five goal lead. However, for the remainder of the chukka, Audi ultra reminded the spectators that it was very much still in the game and with John Kent opening its scoring and Charlie Hanbury following close behind, adding two quick goals to the scoreboard, it meant that at half-time there was just two goals in it with Audi quattro leading five goals to three.
Following treading in, the part of the game when the spectators are invited onto the field to stomp in the divots, the score was very close and both sides knew that they were in with a chance. It was Prince Harry who was the first to alter the score, increasing Audi quattro’s lead, having beaten England six goaler, Nacho Gonzalez, with a ‘polo move’ that even the world’s best players would have been proud of, sending the ball sailing through the posts. Having had the ball stolen off him by Prince Harry just seconds before, Nacho reminded everyone why he had been part of the Audi-supported England side which won last year’s Coronation Cup, sending a “powerful drive” straight through the middle of the goal making it 6-4.
Throughout the fourth and final chukka, both sides were trying to gain that important lead. Audi ultra’s John Kent was the first to find the posts, narrowing the gap to just one goal. However, a foul by his teammate, Nacho, resulted in an easy, undefended goal for Audi quattro, once again giving them a much more comfortable two goal lead. With just four minutes of play left on the clock, Charlie Hanbury was the next player on the pitch to convert, running the length of the pitch and scoring a spectacular goal, once again narrowing the gap but unfortunately there was not enough time for Audi ultra to do anything else before the final whistle. Audi quattro ran out the winners 7-6 in what was a fast and spectacular display of the sport.
After the exciting match between the Audi ultra and Audi quattro teams, both the winners and the runners-up were presented prizes by the Duchess of Cambridge.
Following the action on the field, guests were treated to more entertainment, this time off the field and in the form of a sumptuous three course dinner prepared by Coworth Park’s Executive Chef, Chris Meredith, before a spectacular performance by BRIT award nominee, Pixie Lott.
A third Audi Polo Challenge for the season is to be played at Chester Racecourse Polo Club on 31 May.
This year, Audi will also be supporting three eventsLive as part of the new Audi International Polo Series, together with the England polo team. This includes:
§ 16 June – Beaufort Polo Club, Tetbury, Gloucesterhire
England vs the Commonwealth
§ 22 July – Guards Polo Club, near Windsor, Berkshire
England vs South Africa
§ 8 Spetember – Chester Racecourse Polo Club, Chester
England vs South America