The Senior Schools National Championships were held on the 26^th June at RLS Polo club by kind permission of Dr. Dallas Burston. It proved to be a day of excellent polo.

Division 1 involved the highest handicapped school teams in the country. Their handicaps ranging from +2 to –5 showing what a good standard school polo has reached. Their matches were all 2 chukka matches and were closely contested. Cheltenham College retained their title by playing fine team polo. Their 2^nd round match against Eton was a highlight and a real test of Cheltenham’s character. It was an excellent match to watch with fast flowing polo , Eton really rising to the occasion and losing by only half a goal . The Final saw Harrow challenging for honours but they were unable to overcome the disciplined team play of the Cheltenham College team who became worthy National Champions. The Plate Competition in Division 1 was also closely contested with Radley overcoming Stowe by their ½ goal handicap.

Division 2 was also a great competition. The organisation of the draw gave all the teams a chance to get to the Final. The higher handicapped teams played the lower handicapped ones and the middle handicapped teams played each other. Then the points, goals for, goals against etc were added up. In Group A Oakham ran out winners over Marlborough by one goal on goal difference. Group B had to be decided by a run down as St.Mary’s Calne and Cheltenham Ladies' were exactly equal on all counts. St Mary’s won the run down. The afternoon 2 chukka Finals were all played in excellent spirit with Oakham being thrilled to be the Division 2 winners. Mention must be made of Pangbourne and Shrewsbury who attended the Nationals for the first time. Pangbourne played well vociferously encouraged by manager and friends! Shrewsbury were well disciplined and may not have scored lots of goals but marked and marked for all their worth.

Thank you to everyone who took part. The play and sportsmanship were both of the highest standard and this is testament to the hard work of the school polo managers, the coaches and the support of the schools.