HACKETT RUNDLE CUP DAY

THE Royal Navy pulled off one of the biggest shocks in recent Hackett Rundle Cup Day history giving the Army a bloody nose to lift the coveted title.

The two and a half goal handicap suggested that the team in blue would be overwhelmed as soon as the match got underway – but far from it.

It was the Navy who took the game by the scruff of the neck. Captain Richard Mason was imperious at the back but also opened the scoring. Goals also followed from Aplin (two) and Lustman with the only riposte before half-time coming from the Army’s main man Lt Col Michael O’Dwyer.

They started the third chukka with the scores at 6_ goals to 1 and, in torrential rain, there was just one more addition to the scoreboard courtesy of the Army’s Capt Phillip Kaye. Mason nullified all other threats and with just one chukka remaining the result looked a foregone conclusion.

However, the Navy had spent all their firepower and the Army sensed the chance of a dramatic comeback. Kaye spearheaded the attack slotting three more goals to set up a thrilling climax.

But although they had the momentum behind them, time wasn’t on their side and the Navy held firm in the dying seconds to run out memorable winners by 6_ goals to 5.

Earlier in the afternoon the crowds were treated to another exciting – if slightly one-sided – game in the ICOA Trohpy fixture, sponsored by DRS Technologies, between The British Forces Foundation and the CSPA.

The British Forces Foundation polo team – the equivalent of cricket’s Lord Taverners – were triumphant. Pedro Lopez–Valido 1, The Hon Tristan Phillimore 1, Ben Vestey 3 and Mark Cann 0 dominated from the start and relentlessly increased their stranglehold on the game, snuffing out any hopes that the CSPA may have had of making a comeback.

The 2008 Hackett Rundle Cup Day at Tidworth Polo Club was yet another triumph for polo, spectators and organisers alike.

Thousands of people soaked up the unique atmosphere. Events had begun with the Jockeys versus Eventers clash in aid of the charity Inspire, and the crowds were also treated to a freefall parachute display.

During the prize-giving, the PQ Saddle – awarded to a member of the Combined Services who has significantly contributed to the work of the CSPA – went to Cdr Adrian Aplin MBE.

Hackett Rundle Cup
ARMY (3 goals): 1 – Lt Matthew Blakiston (Light Dragoons) 0; 2 – Capt Phillip Kaye (Kings Royal Hussars) 1; 3 – Capt Quentin Hicks (Kings Royal Hussars) 1; Back – Lt Col Michael O’Dwyer (Irish Guards) 1.
ROYAL NAVY (-1 goal): 1 – Lt Cdr Allan Wilson -1; 2 – Cdr Arnie Lustman 0; 3 – Cdre Richard Mason 0; Back – Cdr Adrian Aplin 0.

Indian Cavalry Officers Trophy
CSPA: Squadron Leader Martin Adcock 0, Major Rupert Lewis 1, Major Tom Moon 2, Colonel Justin Stanhope-White 1
The British Forces Foundation: Pedro Lopez–Valido 1, The Hon Tristan Phillimore 1, Ben Vestey 3, Mark Cann 0

For the Hackett Rundle Cup Day photo galleries click here