Autumn Nations Trophy

AUTUMN NATIONS TROPHY GREEN GATES FIND AUTUMN TO THEIR LIKING

SUNDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2021 AUTUMN NATIONS TROPHY

TEAMS GREEN GATES, FOUR QUARTERS BLACK TASHAN POLO, SONA POLO

Green Gates concluded a successful 2021 season by retaining the Autumn Nations Trophy. Noor Khadra’s team came to this final having already won the 16-goal Duke of Cornwall Trophy and the 15-goal Mountbatten Cup but they had to work hard to win this prize. Romilla Arber’s Four Quarters Black delivered a tough opposition and the match was tighter than the final 6-4 scoreline implied. Romilla herself kickstarted Four Quarters Black’s tally on the scoreboard by delivering a fabulous run to goal in the second when her team were 3-0 down.

The key to Green Gates’ success in this 12-goal final was their team-work. Isidro Strada, who was later named the Most Valuable Player, created a strong partnership with Cesar Crespo but every player contributed to this win. Louis Hine, who earlier in the day had won the schools’ Copenhagen Cup with Wellington College – ironically playing against Noor, a member of the Stowe school team – was strong in defence, producing some great ride-offs against Felix Esain and Benjamin Urquiza.

Although Green Gates were ahead for all of the match they could not relax for a moment. Four Quarters Black never gave up fighting, with Emanuel Arber, Esain and Urquiza continually trying to find their way to goal. The result for the spectators was a wonderful, fast and flowing game that was a treat to watch.

Brian Stein, Chairman of Guards Polo Club, presented the prizes. This included the Polo Times Best Playing Pony to Strada’s eightyear-old Guadalupe Sandy Lane.

Eighteen teams had entered this year’s tournament, ensuring just reaching the final was an achievement. It also meant that the sub final was equally competitive. Victory went to Tashan Polo. They beat Sona Polo 6-5 in another close game played earlier in the day. ✸

TEAMS

Green Gates: Noor Khadra (0); Louis Hine (2); Cesar Crespo (4); Isidro Strada (6). Four Quarters Black: Romilla Arber (0); Emanuel Arber (1); Felix Esain (5); Benjamin Urquiza (6). Tashan Polo: Hilali Noordeen (0); Juan Araya (3); Ed Hitchman (4); Richard Tyrone (5). Sona Polo: Sunjay Kapur (0); Nina Clarkin (3); Mark Tomlinson (6); Cristian Chaves (3).