La Martina VARSITY TROPHY

TOxford clings to Varsity title

his historic day of student polo did not disappoint, delivering strong sport from some of the most famous educational establishments in the world.

The 124th edition of the annual Varsity match, one of the oldest polo trophies still played for in the world, was again won by Oxford. The dark blue shirts have dominated this match for almost a decade and won the 2023 test 7–5. However Cambridge, put up a spirited defence and remained in contention for all four chukkas.

One reason for Cambridge’s improvement in form despite being substantially lower handicapped than their rivals, was their new partnership with the King Power organisation. This high-goal outfit had been supporting the university squad with ponies and training from the start of the 2023 season and was in evidence throughout the match. Cambridge might not have found the flags after the first chukka, but they made Oxford work hard for victory.

Camila Cimadamore scored Cambridge’s only field goal and was later rewarded with the La

Martina Most Valuable Player prize after a strong, defensive game. Camila received her prize from the Club’s Chairman Lt Col Sean O’Dwyer and Becky Simpson, Manager of the La Martina Store here at Guards Polo Club. This brand has supported student polo here at Smith’s Lawn for more than a decade.

Thomas Gordon-Colebrooke was the stand-out player for Oxford, firing though four goals, plus a penalty for his team. He was brilliantly backed up by Bolawa Tejuoso, who made sure he was always in the right place to pick up a pass. Bolawa later received the La Martina Best Playing Pony prize for Escobito, who is owned by Shoreline team patron Tunde Karim.

Later in the day Harrow retained the Jenny Walton Masters Trophy following its annual schools test against Eton. This was another closely fought match, with Eton ahead, 3–2 at half-time. It went to 4–4 at the end of the third but Harrow were able to pull away by one in the fourth to win the game. Hector Rogberg was named the La Martina Most Valuable Player. Eton’s Oliver Drewitt received the La Martina Best Playing Pony prize for Bracero. Oliver, a playing member here at Guards Polo Club, had played this 11-year-old pony in the fourth chukka.

A welcome addition to the 2023

Camila Cimadamore scored Cambridge’s only field goal and was later rewarded with the La Martina Most Valuable Player prize after a strong, defensive game.

Varsity programme was the return of the Atlantic Cup. This trophy is traditionally played for by two Ivy-League, American universities, Harvard and Yale. Harvard won the 2023 contest, impressively defeating Yale (rec 3½ goals on handicap) 12–4½.

La Martina Varsity Day had started with the traditional Old Blues match, featuring former students from both Oxford (rec 0.5 on handicap) and Cambridge and starring some familiar names from Guards Polo Club. Oxford Old Blues ran out the winners, heading home with the Arthur Lucas Trophy thanks to a 5–3½ victory. u

The Teams

Oxford: Camilla Hyslop (-1); Jamie Baillie (0); Bolawa Tejuoso (0); Thomas Gordon-Colebrooke (1). Cambridge: Jess Chapman (-2); Charlotte Wade (-2); Callum Westwood (-2); Camila Cimadamore (0).

Harrow: Ibrahim Faisal (-2); Arthur Porter (-2); Ulysses Hu (0); Hector Rogberg (1). Eton: Eliott Gallienne (-1); John Buchan (-2); Beau Buchan (-1); Oliver Drewitt (1).

Harvard: William Lobcowitz (0); Nico Michel (-2); Carlos Roca de Togores (0); Jonathan Willen (1). Yale: Marco Marsans (-1); Calaway Swanson (0) / Aia Alvarez Nishio (0); Leopold Schwarz-Schutte (-2); Yan Davidoff (-2).

Cambridge Old Blues: Sam Outtridge (1); Jeremy Allen (1); Maximilian Kirchhoff (1); Tahl Holtzmann (0). Oxford Old Blues: Henrietta Seligmann (-1); Hilali Noordeen (0); Konstantin Graf von Schweinitz (0); Ross Ainsley (3).

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