Big apple takes the first bite at finals of Mint Polo in the Park

Well, what a weekend.

My legs feel like lead, and I wasn't even on a horse!

Sunday was the final day for Mint Polo In the Park at the polo grounds in Hurlingham, and what an end to a magical event it was.

The weather, although not as brilliant as the previous day, was nonetheless good, and those that had listened to the London Met Offices' prediction (I often think foolishly, as the microcosm that is London, rarely follows any predicted forecast) of heavy downpour, were more than delighted when the sun eventually did sneak out from behind the clouds.

The cooler weather also allowed me to spend less time away from the press area that had become a small sanctuary on the previous days hot weather frenzy.

The first event was a friendly university match between Edinburgh and Oxford, allowing the younger polo players to show themselves off as true superstars of the polo field.

Friendly the game remained as the teams drew 4-4 and I caught up with Leonora de Ferranti after the match, who played for Edinburgh. Being the only girl on her team, i asked how she felt about women's polo and the way the sport has really taken off in the last few years. She was quick to say how ''important it was to play with the boys as you often get sidelined'' and she told me not to assume women's polo was in anyway a weaker game - in fact, ''the girls can be more aggressive''.

Watch out lads.

Next up was a display from the Devils Horsemen, an absolutely incredible show of skills and stunts, galloping across the field, from riding upside down, to racing horses, standing on their backs two at a time!

(I think, I might just stick to my side saddle, thanks).

And finally, to the event we had all been waiting for. The Finals of the Mint Polo in the Park, played by The City AM team, sponsors of the New Yorkers against IG Index's sponsored team, Paris.

I had heard players and fans gushing about the amazing performance Paris had given in their incredible victory yesterday against Sydney, sponsored by Invisible Zinc. With this in mind, I was preparing myself for one of the most exciting games of the season, well aware of the the unchallenged talent they would face against the New York boys.

Behind the scenes, it is all fun and games as all the players are close friends, however, with a suicide start, it was if a switch had been flipped and the aggression exploded while heartbeats stopped.

Henry Brett, the 6 goal handicap player for NY was the first to touch the ball.

Without wasting any time, Andrea Vianini from Paris, also holding a 6 goal handicap title, made it quite clear that Brett was not going to get away with this.

By allowing Lucas White, player No. 1 for Paris to drive hard against Brett, Andrea secured the ball and turned from his opposition to head for their goal. All too soon, a whistle was blown and Jamie (Morro) Morrison, team NY's 4 goal player, took a penalty.

He scored, securing the New Yorkers a claim for the first chukka.

The next notable battle was between Paris' Tito Ruiz Guinazie and Jack Kidd, Captain of NY, another 4 goal handicap player who tore across the field cheek by jowl, until Guinazie had the ball cleared and aimed for the goal. The ball flew wide and it was Brett that scooped it up and made an easy score for the NY boys at the other end of the field.

The second Chukka was relatively quiet, allowing the boys to regain some much needed energy after the furious opening chukka and as momentum built up, it was clear the new rules on the pitch have allowed polo to be seriously ranked up there with other extreme sports.

Excitement was felt by everyone, and no one more so than myself, when the ball was smashed into the boards behind me, bouncing of and smacking me in the head.

I think the deliriousness I felt was owed to honour of being touched by Kidds ball, rather than any actual damage!

No harm done and i wasn't prepared to leave this prime viewing spot at the sideline, for a safer seat elsewhere, and thank god i didn't move. With a full on collision between Jack Kidd and Andrea Vianini, breaths were held as everyone looked in shock as Jack cradled his head. Andrea was the first at hand to grab Kidd and turn his headlock into a hug, as cheers were belted out from the stands as the two opposing players rode off arms round each others shoulders.

The final few minutes were nail-biters as both teams had everything to play for, scores reading 9-9 and with perhaps only seconds to go, It was the Kidd, a true soldier who tore in and decided the scores in the final moments, winning a goal, and also the trophy for team New York.

Celebrations continued well after the campaign fight, initiated by Jack Kidd, at the presentation giving, getting everything, including our camera lenses wet as the players and many of the fans partied well into the night at the Nikki Beach Polo After party.

Lets hope Jacks head feels better than his broken mallet from Saturdays match.

For more info visit www.livingpolo.com