Beaufort Sets the Standard

Sun, Crowds and Immaculate Grounds

 

Miles Underwood reports as Beaufort set the standard for the 2011 season.

Polo is go in 2011. Beaufort Polo Club’s packed season of 28 Tournaments began last Saturday with the start of the 8 goal Badminton Cup. Big crowds blessed with bright sunshine witnessed wins for Neptune Group and Irongate on the opening day. Neptune-playing against home side Beaufort – capitalised on early opportunities and within 2 minutes were ahead 2-0. The home side soon responded with spirited play from their Argentine playmaker Jacinto Crotto, arguably man of the match and everywhere throughout. By Chukka 3 Crotto had levelled the scores at 3 all with a beautifully lofted 60 yard penalty however it was James Harper who went the length of the field nearside with the bouncing ball to make it 4-3 to Neptune with Emma Tomlinson chasing in vain. The Neptune combination of Tommy Morgan and Harper then combined to pile the agony on to Beaufort with three further goals. Beaufort dug in resiliently and with some Individual brilliance from Crotto and pressure from his teammates had brought the score back to 7-6 by full time.
Christian Badenhop’s , Indubitable took on Irongate in the second match. Will Emerson and Max Charlton were on fire for Irongate and with their -1, Jeremy Pemberton pulling out some plays that most professionals would have been proud of they produced a 7-5 win that made patron James Scott-Hopkins a very happy man!
Irongate had also entered a team in to the 2 goal but their luck ran out in defeat to Martyn Meade’s Ladyswood. They booked their place in Monday’s final against the impressive looking Shibumi who triumphed over Supernova on Sunday morning.
Ladyswood emerged triumphant finalists against Shibumi in a bad tempered affair on Monday afternoon to become Beaufort’s first tournament winners of 2011, ensuring double success for Martyn Meade who had arrived at Polo via helicopter, direct from Warwick racecourse where his horse Foxley had won the 4.10 at 7-1!

 

Beaufort Polo 2010

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