Schools & Universities Polo Association

National Universities Arena Championships

By Michael Hobday

Blue skies, near freezing temperatures and a record 62 teams, took part in this years Championship. A change of venue to Longdole Polo Club went smoothly with the surface and facilities getting the thumbs up from the masses. For once the weather forecasters were spot on, with the dry of the first three days, being turned into rain and liquid mud on Sunday, causing a few headaches for organisers and players alike.

The Paramedics in place, score sheets posted and umpire ready, we started at 09.10 on Thursday and finished on Sunday at 16.45! A chukka every 10 minutes, every day and 16.30 finishes were the norm. Saturday saw the coldest temperatures yet with the register just getting over freezing in the early afternoon, but Roxton’s, our main sponsors, were supplying foot and hand warmers, and boy were they good.

Onto the Polo, and well fortified by the burger van, battle commenced in 6 Divisions, again a record. The Beginners 2 section with 13 teams was a joy to watch with new teams Southampton and Harper Adams adding to the existing Universities.

This section was always hard to read and although several large Universities fielded 2 or three sides the final was between, London B and Exeter 3 with the latter running out the winners by 2 – 1

Division One Beginners, for 1^st teams only, saw 15 sides compete and the standard of this section, again supported by The Rock Club and Havana Leisure Ltd, was much higher than last year, with strong contenders Oxford Brookes and Reading meeting unknowns such as Leeds, Edinburgh and Harper. Surprise package was the team representing Southampton who made it to the semis only to fall to a rejuvenated London team by 1 – 0. The other team to make it to the final were Reading, long time favourites for the title, and they didn’t disappoint as they duly won by 2 – 1 against a very stubborn London team. Rachel Brodie from Reading also picking up the SAT’s award for the MVP in the section.

The Novice Section, sponsored by Polo Skool, again like the Beginners has grown out of all proportion and now boasts 2 divisions. The system of scoring meant that the final was a 2 chukka match between old adversaries, London and Exeter 2, and despite strong defence from London it was again Exeter who took the Div Two title by 5 – 2.

Division One, like the Beginners was for the 1^st teams from each University. Once again Exeter and London were eyeing the title but the teams from Southampton and UWE were also in the running. Both semis however saw the two latter teams concede 4 goals each and once again it was London University against Exeter. Both sides fielded 2 girls and 1 guy and the final could have gone either way. Full time saw a draw, penalties taken by everyone saw yet another draw so sudden death penalties were called on. London missed the first and then Matt Allin for Exeter, usually the most consistent of penalty takers, saw his go wide, the crowd silent as London also missed their second. Poppy Tucker, suffering from first final nerves, stepped up and to her joy and that of all Exeter fired home. Another trophy to Exeter!

The Roxton’s Intermediate Section with 11 teams saw a big difference in standard, and Leo Hirson’s idea of flooding the section with Bristol teams backfired as none made the final AMT. Bristol Barn Owls, Bears, Badgers, Birds (all blokes) Beavers!!!, Bats and Beagles were some of his creations. Nevertheless they all had great fun. Exeter had seemed to make this Intermediate Section theirs over the past few years and were gutted to say the least as they were beaten first by Oxford Brookes and then by Nottingham. This left the way clear for the title to be taken by one of the aforementioned sides. Toto de Waal and James Douglas for Brookes saw the lead change several times as the Nottingham contingent of Suthers, Griffiths and Sargent fought all the way to the final whistle and although superbly mounted by Phil Baker, the higher handicapped Oxford Brookes team wore them down and took the victory by 5 – 4½.

The Open, again as many events sponsored by Bailey’s Horse Feeds, a great supporter of UK Polo, and although only fielding four teams, was of the highest calibre with all players either 1 or 2 goals. Oxford University, last year’s winners, were not on song as Exeter blasted them off the arena with fast and aggressive play which Gleeson and Townshend just couldn’t contain and although leading in the other semi Edinburgh, featuring 2 students from Pakistan and 1 from the Philippines, were beaten to the bell by local team RAC. Miss of the tournament was in this match when Will Blake Thomas skied one over the fence when it was easier to score.

This set up the finals with Oxford running out winners over the Edinburgh trio of McNackvi, McSuzuki and McKhan by just ½ goal. Big support and loads of neutrals saw Oliver’s Army from the RAC take on Goose and his boys from Exeter. End to end, no quarter asked or given, Manners Blake Thomas and Browne came from behind to clinch victory over Allen, Horton and Goess-Saurau.

Thanks must go to the Longdole staff, Jo Beim, Kate Beim, Louise Hobday, Pam Cowley (who timekept and scored for all 4 days), John Jennings and especially to Umpire Dan Banks who bar one hour, umpired the whole competition.

Prizes were presented by Sally Woods from Polo Times, Jeanie from Roxton’s, Phil Purdie of Polo Skool, George Knowles from Baileys Horse Feeds, Jilly Emerson and Charles Betz from SUPA.