archie david CUP

Great Oaks fell tough opposition

The Archie David Cup is regarded as one of the most competitive in the Club’s roster of tournaments. It is the UK’s leading eight-goal competition and always attracts an impressive number of teams. The 2023 season was no exception with 26 squads taking part.

So the finalists, Great Oaks and Tempest, had already had to work hard just to reach this final. In fact, these two teams were so evenly matched that it was hard to call a winner – even in the fourth chukka. Dillon Bacon’s Great Oaks won the match 5-3 but could not relax for a minute.

Gustav Rausing’s Tempest team opened the scoring but the spectators had to wait until the second chukka for the first goal of the match. Bacon then picked up a lovely pass from Nicolas Roberts to equalise, reminding everyone how even this battle was. Ryan Pemble fired through the third goal just before half-time, ensuring Tempest had the narrowest of advantages going into the break. The third was almost a replica of the first half. Roberts levelled the score for Great Oaks before Rausing fired a big hit up to Segundo Darritchon, who put the ball through the flags. Tempest had retained their one goal advantage going into the fourth and final chukka. Felipe Gomez produced a lovely steal to bring Great Oaks level again early in the fourth. Then after some fast-paced horse races between Bacon and Pemble, Josh Nimmo fired through a goal. With only a minute left on the clock Great Oaks were in the lead (4-3) for the first time. Thirty seconds later Great Oaks were awarded a 40-yard penalty, which Roberts successfully converted. This sharp shooting ensured Great Oaks lifted the mighty trophy.

Great Oaks’ Felipe Gomez was named the Most Valuable Player. His team-mate Nicolas Roberts received the Images of Polo Best Playing Pony prize for Valorada.

With so many teams taking part in the Archie David the sub final is always a strong game too. This was won by Ainsley Saddlery, defeating Oriflamme 7-5. Winning patron Andrew Dechet received the Caterham Cup from Lt Col Sean O'Dwyer and Jane Broadbent. Meanwhile, those Guards teams that are knocked out of the competition after the league stages are invited to take part in the Claude Pert Cup competition. This was won by Ming Yun Polo Team after a roundrobin game. u

The Teams

Great Oaks: Felipe Gomez (1); Josh Nimmo (1); Dillon Bacon (2); Nicolas Roberts (4). Tempest: Estanislao Darritchon (0); Segundo Darritchon (3); Ryan Pemble (4); Gustav Rausing (1). Ainsley Saddlery: Andrew Dechet (1); Archie Heseltine (0); Sebastian Dawnay (3); Lachlan Gilmore (4). Oriflamme: Benn Shepherd (0); Tom Dalton Morgan (2); Jack Berner (3); Jason Warren (3).

Ming Yun Polo Team: Arno Liu (0); Benjamin Mancini (1); Henry Porter (4); Adolfo Casabal (3); AFB: Clive Reid (0); William Millard (2); Chris Crawford (2); Pete Webb (4). Mono Polo: Derek MacLennan (0); Hamish MacLennan (0); James Mann (3); Rosendo Torreguitar (5).