Reports
Photography by Mark Beaumont
Latest Victor Ludorum
Luke Tomlinson on the ball for Ferne Park
End of Season Round-Up A All but one Final completed
s this issue of Polo Times went to print, all of the 2021 Victor Ludorum tournaments from 22 goal down to the 4 goal had been completed, all except Guards Autumn League Final which culminates in mid-September (a report will be included in the next issue of Polo Times). It has been another packed season, with some tournaments reaching double digits for team entries. Below are round-ups of all the latest Finals, with the 1st to 3rd
18 Goal Victor Ludorum
Cowdray Park Polo Club – The Challenge Cup Final – Sunday 1 August Number of teams: Four Winners: White Crane Points: 15 www.polotimes.co.uk
PT September2021 Inners.indd 31
positions at the end of each section, but for readers’ ease, here are the winners of each section: 22 goal – UAE Polo Team (150 points) 18 goal – Emlor (135 points) 15 goal – Emlor Red (120 points) 12 goal – Still to be completed, currently Ojo Caliente are in 1st position with 110 points 8 goal – Coppid Owls (160 points) 6 goal – Quel Domage (225 points) 4 goal – Timb-Ply/Trident (45 points)
The fast-paced game featured strong passing attacks from both teams as they combined for nine assists on 12 field goals, highlighting the elite level of play seen in the Final. Tomas Panelo and Andrew Blake-Thomas provided a formidable duo for White Crane,
accounting for all but one of their team’s goals, while Ferne Park responded with a two-man game of their own that was led by Joaquin Pittaluga and Luke Tomlinson. The difference in the match ultimately came down to the additional scoring opportunities for White Crane, as they consistently produced offense over the final four chukkas to claim the 8½-7 victory. The only team to hand Ferne Park a loss in the tournament, White Crane looked to replicate that result in the Final, but Ferne Park raced out of the gate led by the play of Luke Tomlinson. Converting a Penalty 4 while also adding a goal from the field, Tomlinson helped guide Ferne Park to the early 3-1½ advantage as White Crane were a step behind after the opening seven minutes. An increased defensive presence from White Crane kept Ferne Park scoreless in the second chukkas as they quickly erased the two-goal deficit, holding the half goal advantage on handicap at 3½-3 after goals from Panelo and Blake-Thomas. White Crane’s duo continued to produce through the end of the first half as they contributed one more goal each to extend White Crane’s lead by another goal, entering halftime ahead 5½-4. The final two chukkas produced evenly matched polo that left the outcome to be Polo Times, September 2021
31
13/09/2021 17:24
