Just one week after Young England’s dramatic draw for The Buckmaster Trophy, history repeated itself at Cirencester Park Polo Club, where England’s women’s side locked horns with France in a gripping international fixture for the Silver Jubilee Trophy, culminating once again in a handshake and an honourable draw.
Leading England for the first time, Milly Hine stepped into the captain’s role, joined by seasoned 6-goaler Heloise Wilson-Smith, while Jemima Walker (4) and Tegan Bristow (3) earned their senior England debuts. Though recently retired as England women’s captain, Nina Clarkin remained a cornerstone of the match; coaching, hosting, and supplying essential horsepower alongside Tamara Fox and Jono Smail.
England hit the ground running in the opening chukka. Two lightning-fast goals from Jemima Walker, set up by Bristow’s breakaway and a perfectly timed backhand from Hine, with Wilson-Smith holding off the man behind, put the home team 2–0 ahead within minutes.
But the French side were quick to answer; a well-placed neckshot from Ambre Ploix found Elena Venot, cutting the gap to 2–1. Then, despite a near goalmouth save by Hine, Pearl Venot found a narrow angle to equalise with a clever backhand finish.
Hine’s attacking drive led to a goalmouth scramble and a another score on the board for England, even if no one could quite tell who struck it home!
A penalty for France was then defended well by Hine and cleared strongly away from the goal by Bristow, but the French sisters were able to turn the ball around and great teamwork from Lucie and Pearl Venot saw the ball just pipped through the post from inches away for 3-3. Hine immediately answered with a great run to goal, defended by France but Hine quickly regainsed possession of the ball to make it 4-3. Hine then made light work of a Penalty 3 to put the score at 5-3 with two minutes left of the first half. Not resigned to being left behind, the French team rallied again to make it 5-4 at half time with a confident hit from some distance by Elena Venot.
The second half saw both teams dig deep in the heat, showcasing tight marking and fierce determination. A promising French goal was ruled out after an infringement, but they soon found their equaliser when Ploix’s backhand teed up Pearl Venot to bring the score to 5–5.
Despite chances for both sides in the final chukkas – including a Penalty 3 for France – the defences held firm. Last-minute attempts by Hine and Walker could not quite put the England noses in front, and with the heat rising and horse power running low, the teams shook hands at the final whistle; a fitting end to a thrilling match that was well-played by both teams.
Most Valuable Player: Jemima Walker
Bartlett Accounting Services Best Playing Pony: Lemon, played by Lucie Venot and owned by Jono Smail at Edgeworth
Best Playing Retrained Racehorse: My Vicky, played by Milly Hine and owned by Robyn Hine
