The National Senior Schools Open and Novice Arena Polo Tournaments were held on Sunday 5th March 2006 at Inglesham Polo Club. The weather was kind and the play all day was excellent. SUPA wish to thank SATS for their sponsorship and support and also all the officials and helpers who made the day run smoothly.


The Open was divided into three divisions all playing “off the stick”.

Division 3 was made up of 4 teams who all played each other. After their matches 3 teams had 4 points each and so it went to Goals For which made Dean Close the winners. Heathfield and Pangbourne had the same Goals For but Heathfield had one less goal scored against them and so a better Goal Difference and consequently they were second, with Pangbourne 3rd and Cheltenham Ladies 4th.

Division 2 was made up of 6 teams. Again the games were close. This division included Fettes who had made a tremendous effort to fly down from Scotland. Bloxham and Marlborough met in the Final, with Bloxham coming out winners 3-1 after a closely fought game.

Division 1 saw fast and skilful polo. Although played off the stick, the higher handicapped teams did not have it all their own way. Eton and Wellington battled for 3rd and 4th place with Eton coming out on top due to some good team play. The Final between Cheltenham College and Sherborne was a fitting finale to the day. Sherborne were unlucky not to score early on. Sherborne marked like demons and Rory Horne, in particular, worked tirelessly turning the ball and setting up attacks. Unfortunately to no avail. Sherborne could not overcome the superbly mounted and disciplined team play of Toby Smith, Tom Meyrick and Ollie Cudmore of Cheltenham College. They became worthy Champions for 2006. Ollie Cudmore, of Cheltenham College, was presented with the Trophy for The Most Valuable Player of the Tournament. Robin Spicer, of Bloxham, won The Most Promising Player Trophy along with specially made knee pads presented by The Worshipful Company of Saddlers.

Dan Banks ,the umpire, and Jilly Emerson, the timekeeper ran a superb Novice Tournament in the Indoor School. Dan umpired with kindness and great energy. He liked it when the chukkas went at a “walk” but Jilly enjoyed it much more when they were played at a canter and Dan had to gallop (on foot) to keep up! The 12 teams were divided into 2 equal divisions called Ivy Lodge and Peddington - named after the top 2 grounds at Cirencester Park Polo Club. Rugby School and Luckley-Oakfield School supported this tournament in force entering 4 teams each. All the teams played excellent novice polo. Many spectator parents new to the game were impressed. The Most Promising Novice Player was judged to be Olivia Mallach of Luckley-Oakfield School.