Bryan Morrison & SUPA International Test Match Report

Saturday 21^st January 2023

After a week of severely cold temperatures, the day had arrived for two very exciting test matches with two teams travelling from the USA to take on the best players in Great Britain. The fantastic setting of the All England Polo Club at the Hickstead Shows grounds in Sussex once again hosting the fixture with continued support from the Inspired Entertainment group. The grounds team at Hickstead had worked tirelessly to fight off the -6 degrees night-time temperatures ensuring the perfect conditions for horse and player. The reward was a perfectly still day with clear skies and bright sunshine allowing four of the best Arena International teams to battle for these prestigious trophies.

SUPA International Test match

The first match on the card was between the Great Britain Universities team and USA Intercollegiate team. The GB team lined up with a 5 goal team against a rotating 6 goal team of the USA.

The GB team started very strongly using home venue advantage with a relentless barrage of successful attacks and an outstanding goal tally for Frank Barlow scoring 5 points alone giving the GB a strong start ending the chukkas leading 7-1

Jamie Bailey added to his points tally at the start of the second chukka along with GB Captain Tom Gordon- Colebrook and not being left out Frankie Barlow took the GB team to 10-1. Joe Coors Captain of the USA Intercollegiate team was determined to keep in the fight running the ball into the corner and around towards goal causing frantic defence from team GB who couldn’t contain the attack and infringed on the play leaving the umpire Howard Smith no option but to award a penalty goal. The comeback was on as the USA ended the first half 10-4, still with an uphill battle.

The half time team tactics were crucial for the USA and the chance to organise their rotating players of Jih- Vieira, 1 goal and Lueders 0 goals. The USA started the strongest with Captain Coors converting a 25yrd defended penalty for 2 pts. 10-6 the score and GB needed to settle the ship. GB Captain Gordon- Colebrook with a sublime nearside pass into the centre of the ground perfect for Barlow to convert was a good response. No time to rest for the GB as the bright sunshine causing Barlow to lose sight of the ball against the glare and the USA 2 goaler Tarashansky pouncing on the mistake to narrow the deficit to 11-7 in favour of GB.

Fourth and final chukka, USA get an quick score 11-9 with 4mins 30 on the clock. Captain Coors puts a back hand across goal but tight defence from GB who try to clear their lines only for the ball to rebound off a player for USA attack again. Scrambling back in defence GB foul giving the USA a 15yrd undefended penalty. Tarashansky calmly takes the shot but it goes right with only 2 minutes 38 seconds on the clock, USA still trail 11-9. Not giving, Captain Coors pressurizes the opposition and the cracks starts to appear for team GB as the defensive coordination weakens and another penalty goal is awarded to team USA. The follow up 25 yd defended penalty had to be stopped and with Captain Gordon Cole-brook in the goal he makes a great save, but the unfortunate rebound comes of the back wall and ricochets into the goal. The score are tied 11-11 with only a minute left. Captain Coors can see the chance to take the lead with a 1 point goal and takes it. 12-11 the USA take the lead for the first time! GB have to throw caution to the wind but a rogue strike which causes the ball to balloon up and over the Arena side inside the 25yard line gives a penalty shot and possession to the opposition. The experience of the USA arena team showed as Coors sends the ball up and over the goal stopping GB from counter attacking quickly and securing the amazing come back to win The SUPA International test match. Final Score 11-12 to the USA Intercollegiate team.

TEAM USA

LEA JIH-VIEIRA 1

VLAD TARASHANSKY 2

JOE COORS 3

STEPHANIE LUEDERS 0

TEAM GB

JAMIE BAILLE 1

FRANK BARLOW 2

TOM GORDON- COLEBROOK 2

MVP JOE COORS USA Captain

BRYAN MORRISON INTERNATIONAL TEST MATCH

This is a very special test match featuring the two highest handicap Arena teams in the world. The battle of the best was a true achievement for both polo associations who lead the engagement of Arena polo format of the game.

The teams were lead into the Arena with two flag bearers carrying the national flags of both teams and representing the Power of Polo charity, whose mission is to positively impact the lives of anyone facing social, economic or health challenges, utilising the sport of polo. The teams lined up for the national anthems which was followed by a minutes silence for Kudlip “Collin” Dhillon a former Chairman on the Cirencester park polo club and Steward of the HPA. Tommy Biddle Team USA Captain, “I played my first two season in the UK with ‘Collins’ ( Kuldip) team and so it’s very poignant and special to be here remembering the impact he had on so much of the polo world”

The two teams lined up after a cold week of preparation for the USA, organising and sourcing horses from the Ormerod family at Druids Lodge polo club and Mariano Darritchon from La Mariposa polo. The USA took first blood with 25 yr. penalty shot that had deflected off Captain Carltons stick over the back giving Captain Biddle a second chance which he dually converted. The response was quick and special first goal for England debutant, Matias Amaya. It was a tough first chukka as the teams sized each other up with a high hook on Jack Hydes hand from Patrick Uretz, who just let Hyde know that the USA mean business. Charlton also receiving a yellow card but was unphased as he showed his 10 goal rating and impressive horse power to run the ball past two defending players to score ending the first chukka 6-4 in favour of England.

The second chukka was evenly matched with goals form Felipe Vianna and Charlton keeping the score board ticking over. The shot of the day had to come from the notorious and accurate Captain Biddle who launched a “Biddle Bomb” from inside his teams half and dropping dead centre into the England goal. Team USA were starting to click, Uretz steals the ball from Captain Charlton on the boards and drives the ball up to an undefended goal breaking the head of his mallet in the attack. Uretz flips his stick around mid-gallop, hoping to use the broader handle for the next shot. Connecting only slightly with the ball the chasing Charlton turns defence into attack with a solo effort down the boards in front of the full crowd that filled the double tiered stands of the Hickstead Club house. The end of the chukka sees England go into the break 9-7 ahead.

Team USA come out after half time with Viana on fire. Two quick goals tie the game 9-9. Both Captain’s added to their team scores matching each other determination. A two v one foul is blown as Amaya runs the ball to goal. Uretz tries to meet the oncoming Viana/Amaya combination but umpire Bown blows the whistle and awards a penalty. Amaya a first time England player, but not his first rodeo. Stepping up to take to the 15 yd penalties for the team he converts and breaks the deadlock to make it 12-11. Amaya follows this up with a great running goal ending the third chukka 13-11 to England.

Fourth and final chukka, one goal separates the teams. Amaya takes an early score, as young Hyde works tirelessly in the middle keeping Viana huge experience contained. This allows Captain Charlton to show why he is the only current 10 goaler, putting his Arena knowledge to expert use by utilizing the boards to keep possession from the set plays. England led 15- 13 as the team change ponies for the last time. Amaya quickly converts a 15 yard penalty extending the England lead. Captain Biddle continues to drive attacks through the middle and launching shot from distance but a tight defence from England quash the attack. Some brilliant late shows of skill from Hyde with an opportunist shot from half way finding the target and securing the lead for England who take the Bryan Morrison trophy with a final score 19-13.

TEAM USA

Patrick Uretz 7

Felipe Viana 8

Tommy Biddle 9 ©

ENGLAND TEAM

Matias Amaya 7

Jack Hyde 7

Max Charlton 10 (c)

MVP: Matias Amaya

Polo Time BPP: Pixies (Aus.) 13 yr. old mare, owned and played Max Charlton

Special Thanks to:

Inspired Entertainment