cornwall duke of trophy

from Guards Polo Club Official Yearbook 2024

Romilla wins a Four Quarters family battle

M Polo defies the odds to win

The M Polo Team came from three goals down at half-time and an enforced change in personnel to add their name to the Duke of Cornwall Trophy in 2023. A golden goal off the stick of Max Charlton in extra time ensured Maximilian Singhoff’s team put their name on this 16-goal trophy, winning against King Power 9–8 in a thrilling fifth chukka. The team had to fight hard to win this match though. Not only were they facing a competitive King Power squad but had to sub out their six-goal player, the South African international Chris Mackenzie, due to injury in the second chukka. Fellow sixgoaler Ollie Cudmore, who had played in the sub final for Madams Farm, took Mackenzie’s place and was impressive from the off. He was so instrumental in helping to turn things around for M Polo that he was later named the Most Valuable Player.

M Polo pushed themselves ahead by one goal (7-6) at the end of the third and this game was now wide open. With goals from King Power’s Marcos di Paola and Jeronimo del Carril and M Polo’s Charlton in the fourth chukka the scores were now level (8–8) and it was time for an extra fifth chukka. Charlton fired through the winner to ensure his patron received the silverware from Mary O’Dwyer. She also presented King Power’s del Carril’s with the Images of Polo Best Playing Pony prize for Monja. The sub final delivered a win for Limitless Delaney. This squad, featuring three members of the Merlos family, beat Madams Farm 6–5 in another tight game. u

The Teams

M Polo: Maximilian Singhoff (0); Nicolas Roberts (4); Chris Mackenzie / Oliver Cudmore (6); Max Charlton (6). King Power: Estanislao Darritchon (0); Eugenio Imaz (3); Marcos di Paola (6); Jeronimo del Carril (7). Limitless Delaney: Benji Mancini (1); Rufino Merlos (2); Juan Cruz Merlos (6); Agustin Merlos (7). Madams Farm: Sam Browne (2); William Millard (2); Oliver Cudmore (6); Jack Richardson (6).