Victrix Ludorum Update

The Final was won by just half a goal

Last tournament reports of the season

Despite an initial delay to the season, all seven of the 2020 Victrix Ludorum tournaments have been played across the English countryside at some of the best British polo clubs. Now that the last tournament has been played, we can see that despite getting off to an early start with the first win of the season at Black Bears, Park Place didn’t manage to take home any other trophies; however, both MJVH Polo and Monterosso Vikings secured themselves three tournament titles apiece. The points for The Ladies 18 Goal

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com MT Vikings, winners of The Guards Ladies Charity Polo Final

Final at Beaufort Polo Club, which was won by MJVH Polo, have yet to be ratified by the Hurlingham Polo Association, but at the time of going to print MJVH Polo were well ahead on the point tally with 350 points, followed by Monterosso Vikings with 270 points while Park Place and Coombe Place were tied in third place on 210 points.

18 Goal Victrix Ludorum

Guards Polo Club – Guards Ladies Charity Tournament – Monday 31 August Number of Teams: Eight Winners: Monterosso Vikings Points: 90

Siri Bazzoni’s Monterosso Vikings secured The Guards Ladies Charity Polo Final for The Lord Patrick Beresford Trophy on Bank Holiday Monday at Guards Polo Club. Another big winner on this day was Smart Works Reading, the official charity of the Guards Ladies Polo Tournament. As the polo had to be played behind closed doors Smart Works Reading was unable to host their fundraising day at Smith’s Lawn. So, they teamed up with Guards Polo Club to host an online auction and raffle that was live throughout this year’s tournament, which raised more than £5,000 for the charity.

In the Final itself, Siri’s team received a half goal on handicap and narrowly defeated Varvara Borodina’s Park Place by a very close half goal margin, with the final score of 4½-4, in a nip-and-tuck game on The Queen’s Ground. Park Place were 2-½ up at half-time, with Lia Salvo making the most of any space that she was given. However, some great teamwork from Kayley Smith and Hazel JacksonGaona put Monterosso Vikings back into this game in the third, while Milly Hine worked hard to ensure that Park Place retained their lead.

With the score reading 3-2½ to Park Place at the start of the fourth chukka there was still all to play for. Jackson-Gaona converted a penalty to put Monterosso Vikings into the lead and teammate Emma Boers, who had a really strong game and was later named the Most Valuable Player, followed up with a fabulous goal to give Monterosso Vikings some air on the scoreboard for the first time. Lia converted a penalty in the final moments of this match for Park Place but with the clock ticking down it was not enough.

The Guards Ladies Charity Polo Final Teams: Monterosso Vikings Vikings (18):

Siri Bazzoni (2), Kayley Smith (2), Emma Boers (5) & Hazel Jackson-Gaona (9) Park Place (18): Varvara Borodina (1), Catalina Lavinia (3), Milly Hine (6) & Lia Salvo (8)

18 Goal Victrix Ludorum

Beaufort Polo Club – The Ladies 18 Goal Final – Sunday 13 September Number of Teams: Two Winners: MJVH Polo Points: 35

The Lord Patrick Beresford Trophy

Siri received the trophy from Sarah Burns MBE, Chairman of Smart Works Reading. Every player also received prizes donated by Clé de Peau Beauté. Earlier in the day Mindi Byrne’s Tex8n Ladies claimed the Subsidiary Final, which was played at Coworth Park.

They beat Celina Lawrence’s Tarantula 5-4. The Ladies 18 Goal Victrix Ludorum Final was hosted on the Sunday 13 September underneath the final rays of summer sunshine. MJVH Polo were first to score, with a penalty by Steph Haverhals. Smiths Polo then went into the lead, 1½-1. In response, Nina Clarkin turned up the heat, sending through two goals to take the score to 3-1½. A team goal by MJVH Polo, tapped in by Nina, extended their lead 4-1½. Not content with this, Nina continued her onslaught, sending the ball to goal, only to have it hit the post and pause before the line. She steered her stunning grey pony round and finished the job, 5-1½. Lia Salvo sent through an expert penalty for Smiths Polo to conclude the second chukka 5-2½. In the third, Nina continued to dominate, adding a further field goal and penalty to her collection. With only the fourth chukka left to make up the difference, Smiths Polo had a moment of respite with another textbook penalty by Lia Salvo, but the clock ran out and MJVH Polo were crowned the winners.

The Ladies 18 Goal Final Teams:

MJVH Polo (18): Alicia Woods (2), Emily Johnson (2), Steph Haverhals (4) & Nina Clarkin (10) Smiths Polo (17): Lisa Smith (2), Jemima Walker (2), Claire Brougham (5) & Lia Salvo (8)

Photograph by JRidley Art & Photography MJVH winners of The Beaufort Ladies 18 Goal