Mon 4th Mar 2019 Flannels England Rule the Arena Playnation International Test Match for The Bryan Morrison Trophy In the heart of West Sussex, Storm Freya very kindly delayed her impending arrival for the highlight of the international arena season, The Playnation International Test Match for The Bryan Morrison Trophy at The All England Polo Club, Hickstead.  Prior to the main event, Hedonism Wines took to the field against Centtrip Wales for The High Goal Challenge, in front of a prepped and eager crowd. The play was fast and frenetic from the off, with Centtrip Wales quickly securing four goals to only one in response from their opponents early on in the first chukka. Centtrip Wales began to let things slip, losing patience, going into plays with little forethought. Hedonism Wines took advantage, bringing the scores to 4-4 at the beginning of the second chukka. Play was scrappy and full of whistle leading up to half-time, which saw the teams at 7-7 going into the break. Both teams clawed back in the final two chukkas, but Centtrip Wales made good on their earlier clumsy play, securing the title 19-13. Pete Webb was named The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player, whilst Gypsy, owned and played by Richard Blake-Thomas was awarded the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug.  Following the first presentation, the International Test Match got underway. From the first throw-in, the pristine team work and immense pace from the Flannels England side was something to behold. The French team, with noticeably less experience in the arena, were caught unawares on multiple occasions, as the Flannels England side notched up four goals in the first chukka to none in response, despite three penalty opportunities for the French. Going into the second chukka, Flannels England continued their goal scoring streak, bringing the score to a whopping 9-0 and it looked like France may never get off the starting blocks, but as Pierre Henri Ngoumou, fresh from his snow polo debut at The Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel finally managed to break the stalemate, commentator Chris Hyde commented, “Now we have a proper arena match”. Following the break Ed Banner-Eve, later named The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player, came firing out of the throw-in with a 10th goal for the Flannels England side, followed by another off the stick of the Captain Will Emerson. But, following three penalty ones in France’s favour, the scoreboard gap was narrowed slightly to 15-7 by the beginning of the final chukka. At this point, it would have taken a miracle for France to come back from such a large goal difference, but in arena polo, this was not such a small thing. With this in mind, Flannels England kept up the defence as France began notching up goals, but two penalty ones in the home side’s favour ensured with just 1.49 minutes to go, Flannels England were still far in the lead 17-9. The final moments went by in a blur of horsepower and frenetic passing, but there was nothing that France could do. Flannels England walked away with The Playnation International Test Match for The Bryan Morrison Trophy with ease, to a roar from the assembled home crowd. Ngoumou’s dark bay mare Pulga was named the Polo Times Best Playing Pony and was presented with its rug, alongside the team prizes, by Bryan Morrison’s son, and The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club Chairman Jamie Morrison. A full report will follow in the next issue of Polo Times, so click here to make sure your subscription is up to date.  The High Goal Challenge Teams: Centtrip Wales (13): Amy Guy (1), Richard Blake-Thomas (5) & Pete Webb (7) Hedonism Wines (13): Evgeny Chichvarkin (1), Tim Bown (4) & Jonny Good (8) The Playnation International Test Match for The Bryan Morrison Trophy Teams: Flannels England (18): Ed Banner-Eve (6), Eden Ormerod (6) & Will Emerson (6 – Captain) France (19): Clément Delfosse (6), Pierre Henri Ngoumou (7 – Captain) & Patrick Paillol (6)   Photograph: Flannels England secure The Playnation International Test Match honours for The Bryan Morrison Trophy. By ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Other top stories Fri 19th Apr 2024 La Dolfina & Valiente Reach US Open Final Cambiasos will do battle once again Wed 17th Apr 2024 Polo Times April Issue Out Now This issue packed with insights, reports & features Mon 15th Apr 2024 US Open Polo Championship Semi Finalists Last spot being decided today Thu 11th Apr 2024 Synergy Clothing Lift Thai Autumn Cup Narrow 8-7 win in Final Wed 10th Apr 2024 Free Pony Changes During Extreme Heat UK Rule Change Tue 9th Apr 2024 2024 English High Goal Teams 22 teams will take part in this season Mon 8th Apr 2024 US Open Polo Championship Update Today’s action between Dutta Corp vs Valiente Wed 3rd Apr 2024 Milly Hine & Mia Cambiaso Reach 9 Goals in US U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship winner & finalist recognised Tue 2nd Apr 2024 WPL Palm Beach Open Finalists Travieso vs Casablanca on Sunday 7 April Mon 1st Apr 2024 US Open Polo Championship Sunday Results Wins for La Dolfina & Dutta Corp Tue 26th Mar 2024 The U.S. Open Polo Championship Fixture & Teams Tournament begins on Wednesday 27 March Mon 25th Mar 2024 The USPA Gold Cup Final La Dolfina/ Tonkawa lift trophy in Cambiaso playoff Fri 22nd Mar 2024 The WPL Founders Cup Debut Win for Park Place Thu 21st Mar 2024 2025 Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz Dates Wed 20th Mar 2024 HPA Polo Assistant Vacancy See all news in: April 2024March 2024February 2024January 2024December 2023November 2023October 2023September 2023August 2023July 2023June 2023May 2023April 2023March 2023February 2023January 2023December 2022November 2022October 2022September 2022August 2022July 2022June 2022May 2022April 2022March 2022February 2022January 2022December 2021November 2021October 2021September 2021August 2021July 2021June 2021May 2021April 2021March 2021February 2021January 2021December 2020November 2020October 2020September 2020August 2020July 2020June 2020May 2020April 2020March 2020February 2020January 2020December 2019November 2019October 2019September 2019August 2019July 2019June 2019May 2019April 2019March 2019February 2019January 2019December 2018November 2018October 2018September 2018August 2018July 2018June 2018May 2018April 2018March 2018February 2018January 2018December 2017November 2017October 2017September 2017August 2017July 2017June 2017May 2017April 2017March 2017February 2017January 2017December 2016November 2016October 2016September 2016August 2016July 2016June 2016May 2016April 2016March 2016February 2016January 2016December 2015November 2015October 2015September 2015August 2015July 2015June 2015May 2015April 2015March 2015February 2015January 2015December 2014November 2014October 2014September 2014August 2014July 2014June 2014May 2014April 2014March 2014February 2014January 2014December 2013November 2013October 2013September 2013August 2013July 2013June 2013May 2013April 2013March 2013February 2013January 2013December 2012November 2012October 2012September 2012August 2012July 2012June 2012May 2012April 2012March 2012February 2012January 2012December 2011November 2011October 2011September 2011August 2011July 2011June 2011May 2011April 2011March 2011February 2011January 2011December 2010November 2010October 2010September 2010August 2010July 2010June 2010May 2010April 2010March 2010February 2010January 2010December 2009November 2009October 2009September 2009August 2009July 2009June 2009May 2009April 2009March 2009February 2009January 2009December 2008November 2008October 2008September 2008August 2008July 2008June 2008May 2008April 2008March 2008

End of Polo Times news page