THOMAS CROWN CAPTAINS & SUBALTERNS TOURNAMENT: JULY 22-23 2006

The Thomas Crown Captains & Subalterns Polo Tournament was played at Tidworth Polo Club over the July 22 and 23 weekend.

Eight teams from throughout all three services played the two days with a mixed range of talent on display – mostly beginners. They included the RAF, Royal Navy, AGC, Royal Dragoon Guards, RMAS, RLC and two teams from Bovington.

The tournament had two seedings which culminated in the finals' day in front of some 700 spectators. Tidworth's excellent Fisher Ground, having absorbed the rain from the previous day's huge thunderstorm, played superbly well.

Sponsors Thomas Crown attracted a knowledgable crowd from the west of England who enjoyed the spectacle in brilliant sunshine.

For the first time in many years the RAF beat a powerful Bovington team who were plagued by injury in the first chukka. The RAF team, who had come from all four corners of the British Isles, put on a fine display and were worthy winners at seven goals to four.

In the subsidary final, the Bovington second team repeated their success of last year - despite the best intentions of a young and raw Sandhurst team. They ran out victors with the final score 8-2.

"The weekend attracted a large crowd for the APOLOA sponsored drinks party which, for the second year running, was in the rain at the Tidworth clubhouse," said Lt Col Simon Ledger, Chairman of the Army Polo Association.

"Thanks are due to our sponsor Jeremy Gower and his company Thomas Crown, and all their guests, as well as to Brigadier John Wright and his team at Tidworth for the marvellous facilities provided.

"One team who deserve a special mention were the Royal Dragoon Guards who had come over all the way from Germany and were unlucky not to get in the money."