Harilela put stamp on Duke of Cornwall's Trophy

Published on: 30th Aug 2011 Low_res_duke_of_cornwall_pic_for_website

Thrilling final in which Aron Harilela's team wins impressive silverware, while veteran polo pony receives best pony prize

A thrilling final for the 16-goal Duke of Cornwall's Trophy Final, sponsored by Blacklock's Bookshop, saw Harilela TNL defeat Asprey London 10-7. There was little to choose between the two teams in the first half with Asprey's Jonny Good impressing the crowds as did Hissam Ali Hyder for Harilela.

So when the teams returned to the field for the second half, there was all to play for as the scoreboard was reading 5-5. However, the final two chukkas belonged to Harilela who stepped up the pace and dominated the remainder of the match. Simon Holley's Asprey London started to incur fouls which Hissam Ali Hyder successfully converted into goals. Chris Hyde battled hard to keep Asprey London in the game, scoring a field goal and then converting a penalty to take the score to 8-7 at the end of the third. Harilela were in the driving seat though and Ali Hyder started the final chukka on great form, always superbly backed up by Pete Webb and Vieri Antinori, and scored a great field goal, despite being chased hard by James Harper. Another Harilela goal gave the black shirts an unbeatable 10-7 advantage. When Asprey London failed to score in the fourth, the outcome was assured and Harilela TNL won the Cup.

Graham and Sarah Dennis of Blacklocks Bookshop presented the Duke of Cornwall's Trophy to Aron Harilela and the Most Valuable Player Award to his team-mate Vieri Antinori. Asprey London's James Harper stepped up to receive the Best Playing Pony Prize for the veteran mare Martina. This 18-year-old mare was led into the ring by James's wife Shannon.

The subsidiary tournament saw a win for Amir Badr El Din's Golden Falcons team. They defeated Mo Sheikh's BHC Polo (rec 1/2 goal) 9-51/2.

Harilela TNL: Aron Harilela (1); Pete Webb (5); Hissam Ali Hyder (5); Vieri Antinori (5). Asprey London: Simon Holley (0); Chris Hyde (6); James Harper (5); Jonny Good (5).

Golden Falcons: Amir Badr El Din (0); Marcos Araya (5); Pepe Araya (6); Tomas Ruiz Guinazu (5). BHC Polo: Momin Sheikh (0); Juan Cruz Guevara (6); Roddy Williams (5); Juracy Santos (4).

Back to News