The Chukkas Keep Bouncing Along Nicely for KRH Polo

The King's Royal Hussars entered two teams into the Captains' and Subalterns' Tournament for the first time this season. It marks another tournament in the year that polo has had a renaissance in the Regiment. All season KRH have been supported by their new sponsors, Exton Park, and it is far from over for 2015 as Tidworth plays host to the KRH Cup this weekend. 

The Captains' and Subalterns' Tournament marks the centre of the summer season of polo for most regiments in the Army and the KRH are no exception. Two teams were entered; the first with Capt George Walker, 2Lt Alex Walch and 2Lt Paddy Selfe as the KRH A Team and entered Division 1, while Capt Henry Foster, Lt George Stephens, Lt Pete Gornall and 2Lt Paddy Selfe were playing KRH B Team and entered into Division 2. 

KRH B started the weekend donning the new Exton Park crimson shirts and stormed home with a victory over the Army Reserves. Sound hitting from Henry Foster and Paddy Selfe at the back gave Pete Gornall and George Stephens the space to run the ball to goal. Pete Gornall's hand eye co-ordination and ability to hit the ball at speed caught the Reserves on the back foot on a number of occasions and the goals racked up. 

Later in the day, the KRH A Team took on a strong and balanced RAF team but Alex Walch accelerated away from the first line out of the match to open the scoring and set the team up well. Hard marking in defence from George Walker and fast counter attacking from OC led to three more goals in the second chukka giving KRH a cushion going into the second half. Two penalties and field goals from Paddy Selfe in the second half sealed victory and ultimately a valued place in the Captains and Subalterns Final on Sunday against the Navy. 

On a grey Sunday afternoon the KRH B Team played the Senior Army Reserves team in the final of Division 2. As the rain paused temporarily, the KRH made a good start with an early team goal finished off by Paddy Selfe. It was not long-lived as the Reserves quickly fought back with a running goal to level the scores. Pete Gornall made a nuisance off himself at the front latching onto passes from George Stephens making it very difficult for the Reserves to mark and resultant fouls from the Reserves gave Henry Foster the chance to put away a 60 yard penalty and a 40 yard penalty in quick succession. Pete Gornall sealed victory with a goal in the last chukka leading his team to victory in Division 2. 

The KRH A Team took the field against a strong Navy team who were eager to claw one back after losing the Inter Regimental Final at Guards Polo Club two weeks before. Their wounds were still raw after the KRH had plugged a half goal victory over them and they were thirsty not to lose a second title clash. The Navy started with half a goal advantage and Hiro Suzuki swiftly added another to end the first chukka 2 1/2 - 0. This was enough to wake the KRH from their slumber and Alex Walch and OVC ran in a goal each. It did not, however, contain Hiro Suzuki who ran away to score once again. With the rain now falling on the Fischer Ground, the KRH scored three field goals in the third chukka with just one in reply from the Navy. The final chukka saw a goal from each team and then the clock was running into the last 30 seconds; a melee on the 60 yard line and lucky spin of the ball let Hiro Suzuki sneak a goal on the final bell, quashing KRH hopes of a double win that weekend. 

The KRH B Team: Lt Pete Gornall, Capt George Stephens, Capt Henry Foster & 2Lt Paddy Selfe

The KRH A Team: 2Lt Alex Walch, Capt George Walker & 2Lt Paddy Selfe

Once dismounted prizes were passed to all the teams who had succeeded at Tidworth Polo Club and while the KRH A Team had to look on fondly at the Division 1 prize, OVC was deservedly awarded the the Most Valuable Player award by the Chairman of Army Polo Col Simon Ledger . 

The weekend of 8th - 9th August sees two Exton Park KRH teams enter the KRH Cup at Tidworth Polo Club with a team in the 4 goal division and a team in the -2 goal division. There will be games from midday on both days in Tidworth.