PTAugust 2009 p44-45 Clubs JM YC MB
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Reports Around the clubs
Binfield Heath
Lucky ladies rejoice on Black Bears turf hen hot weather at start of last month left Binfield Heath Polo Club’s grounds too hard to play on, several ladies and a very special pony accepted an invitation to play their 0-goal Sexy Kaftans Ladies’ Tournament at the private grounds of the Black Bears polo team. The quality of the surface made for a faster and safer platform for both players and ponies to exhibit their full range of skills, according to player Louise Sandberg. All games were open, fast and competitive, though the thrill of playing on such hallowed turf meant there was none of the unnecessary arguing that is sometimes associated with ladies polo. The girls’ enjoyment was there for all to see and they produced some fantastic play. Stephanie Haverhals, Amber Clutton-Brock, Kelly Keyte, Helga Keay and England’s Rosie Ross, in particular, shone bright in the glorious sunshine. Ross also rode best playing pony, Velvet. Now owned by Ian Wooldridge, Velvet is a former Black Bears pony herself, making an ironically successful return to what used to be her home turf. Tournament sponsors, beachwear specialists Sexy Kaftans, provided the trophies, rosettes and prizes.
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Sexy Kaftans Ladies winners, Borough Marsh Farm (l-r: Amber Clutton-Brock, Kelly Keyte, Mel Hamilton and Helga Keay), with Louise Sandberg (centre), a representative of the sponsors
Silver Leys
Flintstones yabba-dabba-doo their way to victory atie Flint’s Flintstones team won the -6-0-goal Extraflex Ladies Polo Tournament over the weekend of 27-28 June. It is one of Silver Leys’ most important and popular fixtures of the month, and attracted four strong teams of ladies, sponsorship from Feedmark and plenty of vociferous support. The teams battled it out on the Bury Green ground, which had plenty of irrigation in what turned out to be excellent weather. Club president Terry Bone provided witty and informative commentary as experienced players such as Flintstones’ Amber Clutton-Brock and St Albans player Vicky Griffin produced a fine display of how to hit the ball in the final. Lofted shots and fast open polo was the result, but the Newmarket-based Flintstones eventually proved too strong for the other visiting side. During the same weekend, Silver Leys hosted the Top Race Polo Cup – won by Friedrich Oldenburg’s Santa Paz, beating Potential to the title. The sides from both tournaments teamed up after the completion of the polo on both the Saturday and the Sunday and enjoyed a fun and friendly evening in the clubhouse.
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Winners, Flintstones (l-r: Zoe Cawthorn, Jane Mills, Katie Flint, Amber Clutton-Brock)
Suffolk
Birthday boy swoops on pigeon prize ix teams formed a league at Suffolk Polo Club on the last weekend in June to fight it out for the small but perfectly formed Whitby Pigeon Fanciers’ Trophy, a popular addition to the Feedmark Flaming June Tournament on 27-28 June. Victor Chau’s team Candesic took the title on goal difference. They topped the table on equal points alongside Hare Park, but triumphed because of a better scoring ratio that showed they had fired home three more goals. Candesic’s win put the icing on the cake for Victor Chau, who was also celebrating his birthday with many of his friends who had come to support. Suffolk Polo Club gave themed ‘Flaming June’ prizes of garden chairs, beach towels and red-hot chilli sauces. In addition, sponsors Feedmark generously gave the finalists tubs of Extraflex HA plus vouchers. Hare Park’s Tasmin Loke won the most valuable player award, having defied her young age and inexperience to produce several quick and incisive performances.
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Winners, Candesic (l-r: Matt Perry, Victor Chua, Albert Lee and Fabio Lavinia) with Anastasia Maximova and Amy Delotta
44 August 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk