Mon 11th May 2026The La Martina Queen Mother’s Centenary Final A comeback victory for Don Tancredi
An exciting and competitive tournament came to an end on Sunday 10 May with a fittingly unpredictable Final at Guards Polo Club. New team on the block Don Tancredi, headed up by the young Orson Clarke, came up against the established side of Amanara Polo Team, a regular on the UK medium goal scene. Both teams reached the Final having won their leagues and powered through the Semi Finals played on Friday 8 May, where they beat Aureus and Ojo Caliente respectively.
The teams faced off and despite a strong start by Don Tancredi, with Hazel Jackson running straight to goal, several missed opportunities at goal had them falling behind and it seemed like Amanara would sail through to an easy win. Up by 5-1 at half-time, Nicky Sen’s team were merciless in front of goal, making the most of Don Tancredi’s seeming allergy to the goal. However, the tide turned in the third chukka when Teo Lacau and Hazel Jackson started to send home their goals and make the most of the fast running and open polo. The scoreboard started to level and it wasn’t long before Don Tancredi had taken the lead. Two decisive goals in the last to finish the match sealed the deal and Don Tancredi snatched victory from the claws of defeat to win The La Martina Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy 9-6.
Hazel Jackson was named Most Valuable Player for her hard work throughout the game and Teo Lacau’s mare Pan Casero Porteña was awarded the La Martina Best Playing Pony Award.
In the Subsidiary Final which was played just before on The Duke’s Ground, La Hechicera beat Tempest 6-5.
The La Martina Queen Mother’s Centenary Final Teams:
Don Tancredi (15): Orson Clarke (0), Hazel Jackson (2), Felix Esaín (6) & Teodoro Lacau (7)
Amanara Polo Team (16): Nicky Sen (0), Pedro Chavanne (4), Oliver Cudmore (5) & Santiago Chavanne (7)
Photograph: Don Tancredi make an unbelievable comeback to take The La Martina Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy. By The Art of Polo
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