With England’s men facing the mighty
New Zealand squad and the ladies facing the Rest of the World,
the Williams de Broe test match held at Beaufort Polo Club on
Saturday 23rd June was bound to be exciting.
In a game where the mood changed as frequently
as the cloud cover above the Beaufort Polo Club grounds, England’s
men emerged as the eventual victors against New Zealand - the
final score ending on 7 ½ : 6.
At times the game seemed characterised by breaks
– the head of New Zealander Tommy Wilson’s stick
snapped off in the first chukka, the ball itself was smashed
in the third chukka, and most influentially, New Zealand’s
number 2 player, 7-goaler, Simon Keyte, was forced to retire
after breaking a finger as a result of it being caught in a
pony’s mouth.
England had started with a 1 ½ goal
advantage due to their two-goal lower overall handicap and,
despite the teams being evenly matched for the second half,
with five-goaler James Watson taking Keyte’s place, keeping
this advantage meant England took the title, when at the end
of a well-balanced match, each team had scored six goals apiece.
For the New Zealand side, Captain J-P Clarkin
dominated the early goal scoring taking penalty shots in both
the first and third chukkas and converting a good pass from
the number 4 player, Tommy Wilson, in the second.
But despite Clarkin’s efforts, a goal
each from England captain Luke Tomlinson and the latecomer to
his side, Malcolm Borwick - Malcolm taking over Mark Tomlinson’s
position after the latter severed a tendon in his hand - kept
them ahead.
And in the third chukka England’s finest,
Henry Brett, took flight, nearly losing control of a ball sent
to him from Borwick from the 90yard penalty line but, with the
15,000 strong crowd on the edge of their seats, he scooped it
under his pony’s neck to score from 15 yards in front
of the goal.
Seconds later and playing brilliantly, Brett
ran his pony down three-quarters of the length of the pitch
to score yet again.
New Zealand, 21/2 goals down at this time responded
with Watson, determined to make his mark on the Beaufort ground,
scoring twice in the fourth chukka.
James Beim’s goal for the England side,
as set up by Borwick, ensured the opening penalty margin remained
unchanged, and going in to the fifth - and final - chukka, all
was certainly to play for.
Watson ensured England knew he meant business
with a goal in the very early stages but when Clarkin missed
a 30yard penalty the mood changed and with Brett then converted
a pass from a penalty shot taken by Luke Tomlinson the opening
penalty margin was maintained.
Even in the closing stages, New Zealand never
seemed to give up the fight but as the ball was knocked out
of play, no more could be done and the trophy fell to England.
And, Luke Tomlinson’s bright bay mare,
Lunch Date, scooped the ‘Retraining of Racehorses’
rug for the best-playing pony.
Fresh from their historic victory as the first
ever ladies’ team to win the Gerald Balding on the 3rd
June, the England line-up arrived at Beaufort Polo Club brimming
with confidence. And, it appeared this accidental dream team
can do no wrong, scorching across the pitch to post nine goals
to the Rest of the World’s three.
The most prevalent goal-scorer came in the
shape of Lucy Taylor, a one-goal player from Cheshire, who has
moved to Beaufort this season. And, little was left to chance
with Nina Clarkin scoring three goals and Emma Tomlinson, two
including a phenomenal goal from 70yards back.
The Rest of the World tried valiantly to thwart
the England side, Hodges helping them to an early lead and then
Scott and Fong-Wee both scoring but nevertheless England always
looked in the driving seat and the Rest of the World in defence.
As dusk fell and the many tradestands packed
up for the night to leave guests to enjoy the Boujis after-match
party, Martin Gray, Chairman of Evolution Group of which Williams
de Broe is now a part, reflected, “It’s been a great
day. For our clients who are not necessarily familiar with polo
they have seen two wonderful matches with interesting, fast
and physical play – and despite there being rain just
four miles away, no one has got wet!”
