Photo: Chistopher Pollard, www.christophergphotography.co.uk
It was wonderful to see the huge turnout in support of the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal last weekend. It was a spectacle of colour as three of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards were led in by visiting piper Iain Pringle to head up the parade of pony club players and finalists of the Rupert Thorneloe Memorial Cup. Spectators flocked to the boards to get a good view of the Welsh Guards in their full dress uniform complete with scarlet tunics and bearskins.
Watched by Rupert Thorneloe's parents and sister, Jessica, it was a very moving occasion, organised by 10 year old Toby Addison and his family after Toby pledged to fill his Trophy with cash to help the Welsh Guards.
The polo finals were an event in themselves, with the 48th Highlanders of Canada getting off to a very strong lead in the first chukka and keeping Aquila more or less at bay for the first half of the match. Aquila pulled off a pretty good comeback in the second half, scoring six goals in the final two chukkas but it wasn't enough to top the Highlanders double figures of 10 goals.
The Cup was presented to the 48th Highlanders of Canada by Mr & Mrs Thorneloe. Patron Doug Ross reported that it had been "very emotional" winning this important tournament especially with Ruperts family present to watch the match.
A Family Affair
Team Tonic demonstrated great teamwork to take 3rd place, comprising two sets of husband and wife duospatrons Catherine Isted-Ford & Malcolm Ford, played alongside Mandie 'Pink Power' and Nick Beitner from Ascot Park, although the youngsters of Los Bandidos put up a very close defence, just being pipped by half a goal which was part of their 1 goal handicap advantage.
Our pro umpire, Matt Pannell has finally got to air his skills after his hand injury had prevented him from playing for the last few years. Along with new members Mhoraig Grossart, Patrick Gallagher and County Polo officianado Ryan Conroy they got off to a flying start against Harry Hickmet's Black Knights, with Sussex slotting in 7 goals in the first half. However, Jimmy Mulligan finally showed an interest to assist Harry, Stephen & Jason to a total of 7 goals but not quite enough to top the Sussex final score of 8 goals.
Polo Stars of the Future
Our 'fluffies' were headed up in the parade by Ruby Hickmet before gave us a Pony Club Polo demonstration, aged from just 8 to 14: Sophie Preston, Jack Court, Ralph Robson, Grace Marchant, Toby Addison and Georgia Addison showed off their polo skills and beautiful ponies and really are the polo stars of the future!
Toby raises over 3K
donations on Sunday raised 1816 for the appeal, bringing Tobys fund-raising to date to over 3,000 pounds!
Purchase Photos for Charity
Resident club photographer Christopher Pollard of Christopher G Photography has kindly offered 15% of all proceeds of photographic sales to be donated to the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal purchased up until 8th August this year.
So you can order from any of his galleries before 8 August and help Toby raise even more for the appeal!
