Cheshire Polo Club

Cheshire Polo Club’s

annual national VL 4 goal took place on Sunday 14 th July, to a packed out marquee of over 190 spectators. The final saw the experienced A.W Jenkinson side, playing in the white, come up against the Clinova team, playing in blue, headed by 3 goaler Charlie Walton.

After a lengthy introduction, play got underway, with Clinova quickly capitalising, taking the first run to goal. The ball rolled just wide however, and the A.W Jenkinson side soon retaliated, scoring the fist goal of the game, courtesy of George Smith’s backhand goal just 2 minutes into the chukka. A.W. Jenkinson then seemed to find their stride, scoring a penalty, followed by narrowly missing out on another run to goal. Despite Charlie’s best efforts and a great run along almost the full length of the field, the chukka ended with a score of 2-0 in favour of A.W. Jenkinson.

Clinova came out firing on all cylinders in the second chukka, as Charlie took the ball straight out of the line out to the goal to put Clinova on the scoreboard. A 60 yard penalty was soon awarded to the A.W. Jenkinson team though by the mounted umpires, Martin Fewster and Will Padden. Cristian Chaves struck the ball but it rolled along the ground and was defended by Issa Patel, the Clinova team captain. Charlie then took control of the ball for Clinova and ran all the way to goal to equalise the score at 2 all. A series of misses then followed, with both teams narrowly missing the goal. However one last push towards the end of the chukka by Cristian Chaves saw the ball slowly roll over the goal line, just as the 30 second horn sounded, to give A.W. Jenkinson a slender 1 goal advantage going into half time.

After the traditional divot stomp by the mass of spectators, play resumed and A.W Jenkinson immediately began to push towards goal. George’s shot failed to find the goal, before Chaves capitalised on a rare mistake by the Clinova team to bring the score to 4-2.

The A.W Jenkinson team were now the attack however as Chaves continued shooting for goal. Firstly missing a goal as it ran wide, and then a second miss, as when hitting a 60 yard penalty awarded against Charlie, it shot high and short, before finally converting a 30 yard penalty, giving his team a 3 goal lead, 4 minutes into the third chukka. Clinova were not yet out of the running however, as Clinova were awarded a spot hit. Some good teamwork on the Clinova team saw off the defence by Ben Malasomma of the Jenkison team and Charlie fired a shot towards goal, it looked like it was to be dropped by Chaves but it got passed his defence and rolled in the make the score 5-3 in the 6 th minute of this third chukka. After a battle from the line out Ben regained control passing it to Chaves who hit hard at the goal as the horn went for the end of the chukka. The goal was given and the chukka ended 6-3 to A.W. Jenkinson.

The final chukka saw the ball ping pong between the two sides backhands before Henry Smith took control for Clinova and made a shot from the 40 yard line, only for the ball to once again roll wide. This gave A.W Jenkinson the opportunity to attack, as Chaves passed to Ben, who sent the ball to George who’s open backhand to goal, narrowly missed. Charlie Walton then passed forward to Henry Smith, in a last push to bring his team back into the game, Henry made a determined run but unluckily missed the bouncing ball ¾ of the way down the field. After some further determined play, Ben and Charlie then came together, and a 60yd penalty was awarded to Clinova. Charlie took the 60 which looked strong but was intercepted by Ben Malasomma out of the air and then it rolled wide. After the hit in, and a mid field tussle, Chaves found himself underneath Charlie’s swing and a further 60 yard penalty is awarded to Clinova. This one was converted to bring Clinova within 2 goals with 4 mins still to play. A.W. Jenkinson came forward, with runs from Ben, Chaves and George with Ben eventually managed to breach the busy Clinova defence to bring the score to 7-4. Despite some strong teamwork from Clinova, A.W Jenkinson ran out the winners of this exciting match, sponsored by Parfums de Marly Paris, by 7 goals to 4.