Sport
26 July, 2023
Polo thrills spectators for second straight weekend
The Downs Polo Club hosted a total of fifteen teams playing in the Sapphire Shield polo tournament at the Clifton Recreation Grounds this past weekend.
Fantastic weather across the Downs welcomed local and visiting teams to the Clifton based club.
The weekend got underway with the Webster Cavanagh Rural C grade competition, where four teams would battle it out for the top spot in their category.
Making it to Sunday’s finals were visiting teams GG’s and FH Polo II.
A four-chukka match ensued with both teams displaying skill and horsemanship.
Upon the final whistle from umpires Mark Adamson and Phillipa Fitzhenry, it was the FH Polo II team which would claim first place in the competition.
The winning team was made up of players Phillipa Rice, Angie Chandler, Daniel Gilshenen and Angus Gunn.
The games quickly progressed to the Bentleys Finance B grade final, as the sun shone over the Clifton grounds on Sunday.
The second final of the day saw local team, Downs Silvershop, take on visiting team Primo White.
Primo White took a commanding lead early in the first chukka, putting pressure on the local side.
Over the remaining three chukkas of the game both teams pressed forward in an attempt to take the win.
A very close game all around came right down to the final moments, with local team Downs Silvershop clinching the win five goals to four.
The winning Downs Silvershop side was made up of players Cameron Byrne, rated -2 goals, Peter Grimes, rated 0 goals, and father and son duo Stuart and James Hoey, both rated 2 goals, completing the 2-goal side.
Concluding the Sapphire Shield tournament on Sunday was the AEW Horsewalkers A Grade final.
Spectators packed the side lines of the number one field to watch the Goondiwindi polo team take on Colliers.
The first chukka of the final got underway with pace and enthusiasm setting the tone for the game to come.
An injury sustained by the leading man in the Colliers side, Luke O’Leary, in the closing moments of the first chukka saw him withdrawn from the team and replaced by his brother Dan.
A very close game ensued with only half a goal (awarded to the Colliers side due to a one goal difference in handicap between the two teams) differentiating the scoreline at any one time.
Spectators held their breath as the teams fought hard for each play, but it would be the Goondiwindi side which would steal the win upon the final whistle, just half a goal ahead of its opponents.
The winning AEW Horse Walkers A grade side of Goondiwindi Polo was made up of brothers Andrew and Sam Coulton, both rated 0 goals, Jack Mantova, rated 1 goal, and Will Gilmore, rated 4 goals, giving an aggregate team handicap of 5 goals.
The day wrapped up with a prizegiving presentation where the Fisher family, who have sponsored the Sapphire Shield polo tournament for thirty years, presented the winning teams with their prizes.
The Downs Polo Club looks forward to hosting its final polo tournament of the 2023 calendar, the Downs Shield, at the Clifton Recreations Grounds this Saturday 29th of July and Sunday 30th July.
Sunday the 30th July will also see the annual Picnic at the Polo event return to Clifton.
All spectators are welcome to pack a picnic and enjoy a day of polo action, along with a winter fashions on the field competition and half-time divot stomp.
Be sure to get your spot early on the sideline, games start from 10am on Sunday.
Follow the Downs Polo Club on social media @DownsPoloClub for all the latest information on polo tournaments and events in Clifton.
- Jessica Rea
