2009 Polo Masters Tournament

The 2009 Polo Masters Final between Madams Farm and Polonetworks took place under very extreme weather conditions with heavy rain the morning of the match and after clearing started again just before and carried on throughout the game. Polo at most clubs was actually cancelled for the day.

Players were a little hesitant during the first chukka for fear of their horses slipping or falling. However despite Ignacio Toccalinos horse falling half way through the first chukka it was not believed to be due to the grounds. The players' confidence grew and by the end of the first chukka the play was flat out with the classic big hitting and long passes we have become familar with for this tournament.

From the first moment the crowd left the comfort of their tents and crowded right to the edge of the safety line for the entire match. The atmosphere was electric all the way to the end.

Scoring was very evenly matched through out but Madams Farm pulled ahead by two goals towards the end of the match. Two mistakes by Madams Farm however were taken advantage of by Polonetworks and coming to the last minute the score was 9-9. A backhander by Nick Britten Long from a throw in gave the ball to Henry Brett who carried it with great accuracy to score the winning goal.

The emotional scenes that followed by both the players and the supporters can only be compared to the final of the Argentine Open. All players contributed well up to their handicaps on both sides despite terrible weather conditions. Speciel mention has to be made of young John Kent who was actually sitting his A Level exams at school through out the week. For sure he has a career in polo. Man of the match and indeed the tournament however has to be Jamie Le Hardy whose consistancy and solid play has shown him to be a star player.

The final score after 5 chukkas was Polonetworks 10 to Madams Farm 9.

Photos available at www.tobinators.com

Download 2009 Polo Round Up 01.pdf

Download 2009 Polo Round Up 02.pdf