Wonderful weather, huge crowds at RCBPC event

Glorious sun, a pristine pitch, and elegantly dressed spectators. Who could ask for more from Royal Berkshire Polo Club? Set in the heart of Berkshire, the club boasts six world class polo pitches surrounded by an incredible 270 acres of pure British countryside; not a building in sight apart from the beautiful Royal Pavilion and immaculate stables.

We were here to watch the D’Arcy Defries MC Finals and enjoy the last of the summer sunshine. Spectators were offered massages from Xhilarate masseurs and fabulous t-shirts from Stickheadz Polo clothing company.

De Lamare, the Brazilian player for Aviation Connexions, was first to pick up, taking the ball for a quick spin across the pitch. It wasn't long before the first whistle was blown, and a defended penalty from 60 yards in favour of Sunseekers.
Matt Lodder, the 3 goal handicap Argentinian took a low swing along the ground, and Reedhed took full advantage of this, guiding the ball all the way to the opposite end of the pitch with much trafficking behind her. Unfortunately, the ball went over the line and a whistle from Umpire McLaren-Tosh caused the game to halt. A penalty for Aviation Connexions was taken by De Lamare, who shot a confusing strike, causing McLaren-Tosh to deliberate with the Goal Judge. Eventually, a point was awarded to Aviation Connexions who took the lead by one and a half, due to their 1/2 score start.

Lodder was up next, going head to head with Reedhead and Sweeny who decided a double attack was the tactic to use if they were to get the ball off this 3 goal handicap player. Lodder was having none of it, and even a hard chase from DeLamare was not enough to deter this man and his pony. Taking the ball swiftly towards the goal, Lodder scored the first goal for Sunseekers, separating the scores by half a point. This wasn't enough for Lodder who promptly regained the ball from the centre and passed to Lorentzen. Reedhead, ever determined, was quick to jump on this pass and a confusing battle of sticks ensued leaving the Umpire with no choice but to blow the whistle. A 60 yard penalty was taken by De Lamare but Lodder took it out followed closely by Eastwood. Through her agility, Lodder lost the ball to her, with a backhand miss. Eastwood scored the second goal for Sunseekers and there were cheers from the crowd for this effortless player.

Sunseekers were now leading by half a point and once again, De Lamare, forever at the forefront of the game, was first to pick up the ball. Lodder couldn't get between the other players quickly enough and it was Sweeney who cut him off, taking the ball forward as she went. With little hesitation, Sweeney went for the goal and scored for Aviation Connexions bringing the scores up 2-2 1/2 to Aviation Connexions.

De Lamare, Lorentzen and Eastwood where in check and turn with one another as the two girls seemed to battle a game of ‘chicken’ with the ball in no man’s land. The whistle was blown and a penalty for Sunseekers taken by Lodder at 30 yards was called. Low and wide, 30 seconds remained, and a big hit towards Sweeny from De Lamare ended the first Chukka.

A backhand by Lorentzen to Lodder kicked off the second Chukka and within minutes the ball was brought back round to Lorentzen who scored for Sunseekers, bringing the scores up to 3-2 1/2 to Sunseekers.

Eastwood flicked the ball into play but the Umpire stopped the game and a spot penalty for Aviation Connexions left De Lamare with the ball. Nothing came of this disruption and Lorentzen advanced from behind, with Reedhead taking the ball to the halfway line. Another penalty was taken, this time for Sunseekers, and Lodder hit the ball to the far right. A bit of ball-banter developed between Reedhead and Sweeney, ultimately resulting in a whistle from the Umpire. A spot hit for Aviation Connexions cleared up the confusion with a fine hit from French. Lodder brought the ball back to the stop point and with a pass to Lorentzen it appeared Sunseekers were to come out on top in this Chukka. This was an issue for De Lamare who flared up beside his opponent Lorentzen, attacking and disrupting the atmosphere, and ultimately scoring a sudden goal for Aviation Connexions.

This gave a definite morale boost to the Aviation girls, and the newly found confidence appeared to distract from tactical playing. A penalty with 2 1/2 minutes remaining was given to De Lamare and was met by Eastwood who played a swift backhand towards Lodder. De Lamare wasn't finished and regained the ball but was consequently chased by Eastwood who managed to distract the Brazilian into losing the ball to Lodder in the last minutes of the second Chukka.

The third Chukka was surprisingly calm, seeing more action from the girls than Lodder and De Lamare who had dominated the first two. Lorentzen was taken on by Reedhead and De Lamare only managed to touch the ball away from Lorentzen with a backhand. He shot, but it was too wide and the ball was thrown into traffic causing the Umpire to halt the match. A penalty for Aviation Connexions was taken with a free hit from De Lamare who scored the first in the second half of the match - scores now reading 3- 4 1/2 to Aviation Connexions.

Moving hurriedly between horses, Lodder took the ball, supported by De Lamare. With a failed block from Eastwood, Sweeney took the ball and with three players hot on her tail, drove it all the way down to the opposite end of the pitch. Setting up an incredible shot, she looked back, settled the ball and fired it straight into the goal from 60 yards. Cheers were heard all across the stands and from the pavilion for this outstanding performance, taking Sweeney to another level of Polo playing.
Next to score was Lodder, who scored without much fuss, taking the points to 5 1/2 - 4 to Aviation Connexion. De Lamare was now screaming for the ball while Reedhead waited patiently behind. Sweeny scored again, this time from an angle shot, leaving the crowd rasping for more from this unstoppable woman.

Into the fourth and final Chukka, it seemed like a mountain to climb for Sunseekers as De Lamare wrestled Lodder for the ball, sticks flailing and ponies tripping around each other. Eastwood joined the action and played hard as Sweeney chased her across the pitch. This wasn't good enough for her this time as the agile Eastwood scored a 30 yard goal for Sunseekers, bringing up the scores to 6 1/2- 5. De Lamare held onto the ball but it was Lorentzen who managed to cross him and take the ball to his goal, scoring for Sunseekers. Things finally began to look up for Sunseekers; the ball was in play between Lodder and Lorentzen, who eventually ran with it. De Lamare checked in with the two and turned the ball around. Then, as if an electrical plug had been pulled, the game seemed to stop for the players to catch their breath as Reedhead smashed the ball over the sideline.

In the final moments of the match, Lodder turned the game around for Sunseekers tacking the ball around the frantic players, who were keen to pick up in the remaining seconds. Without a second thought, Lodder aimed and scored the ultimate goal ending the D'Arcy Defries Memorial Trophy with a surprise goal - Sunseekers winning the match.

Isamaya ffrench, LivingPolo UK