A huge thank you to everyone who came along on Sunday. The 8 goal Balaclava Trophy, flagship match for the Picnic Polo day, this year welcomed visiting team Noon Giraffe down from Cirencester. This was a very close game with a fast field goal from Noon Giraffe’s Siobhan Fagan quickly matched by one from Eden Ormerod in the first chukka. Chukka two went in Noon Giraffe’s favour with two goals from Chris Fagan and 3 goaler Jonny Coddington leaving the score at 2.5 – 1 at half time. After some halftime divot stomping and team talks, Stevie McCraith came out to score 2 goals for Dragonfly leaving it all to play for in the last. The final chukka was fiercely fought with a goal each from McCraith and Noon Giraffe’s Chris Fagan, the final bell signifying victory this year to visitors Noon Giraffe who took home the magnificent Balaclava Trophy, presented by sponsors Piers and Natasha Heelis. Most Valuable Player went to Eden Ormerod, and Best Playing Pony was awarded to Charlie Walton’s Silvido.
This regular Picnic Day fixture between The Royal Air Force and The Army Polo Team was the first game of the day on the beautiful Ferne Ground. The Army were first to make their mark on the score board with a goal from Lt Col Tom Armitage, closely followed by one from 2 goaler, Capt Paddy Selfe. The RAF rallied with a goal from new cap, Sqn Ldr Ross Thomson, ending the chukka with the score 2 – 1.5 in the Army’s favour. The Army started to break away in chukkas two and three notching up a further four goals, compared to two from the RAF, both scored by Sqn Ldr Vicky Woodhead who had an excellent game. The score at the start of the crucial last chukka was 6 – 3.5 in favour of The Army Polo Team. Despite some excellent strategic play and defence from the RAF, Rfn Bob Santrian got one more between the posts for the Army and the final score was 7 – 3.5. Flt Lt Georgie Harwood was awarded Most Valuable Player for her gritty marking and hard work, and Best Playing Pony went to Stiletto played by Lt Col Tom Armitage.
