CADILLAC COMMONWEALTH CUP

SPONSORED by Virginia Commerce Bank, a strong and competitive British Forces Foundation (BFF) team achieved a remarkable victory in the Cadillac Commonwealth Cup at Olville, Virginia, in September.

They took the trophy from their hosts for only the fourth time in the twenty-year history of the tournament.

Three of the visitors – Ben Vestey, Philip Kaye and Quentin Hicks – are all young Army officers while the fourth, Mark Cann, had a military career before becoming director of the BFF.

They spent a week touring Virginia, to promote the BFF and prepare for the big game, which was held in front of around 4,000 spectators.

The match was the fulcrum of a large fundraising. effort that saw over $150,000 donated to the Goochland Fellowship and Family Service. It was also one of the best games in the history of the contest, the BFF, on University of Virginia horses, starting the strongest and scoring three quick goals in the opening chukka.

The strength and aggression of the British rocked the opposition, and at half-time the score was 6-3. Things were closer in the second half but the BFF always seemed to have the edge at crucial moments.

A spot penalty from Vestey, from behind the half-way line through the middle of goal at the end of the fifth chukka, must have made the Americans feel it was not their day.

Every player contributed on both sides, Philip Staples proving hard to pass in the US defence, hitting big backhands and stopping and clearing cleanly no less than three penalties. Juan Salinas Bentley was a powerful as ever, scoring fast counter-attacking field goals; while Taylor Dameron and Gary Leonard also contributed to the Commonwealth squad total.

The ‘Brits’ were very focused, with Kaye making a magnificent job of marking Salinas and, with Hicks, breaking fast. Vestey was the skilful playmaker and co-ordinator of all attacks, with Cann solid in defence.

The sixth chukka was a nervous affair, with the Americans fighting hard and coming back into the game, until Cann made up for an earlier miss from close range by scoring off an excellent pass from Vestey – giving him his first victory in six attempts.

The crowd appreciated a very entertaining match, brought alive by the witty commentary of Tom Hulfish.

Tom co-ordinated, together with Juan Salinas Bentley, the rest of the BFF tour, which saw the visitors play an arena game at Great Meadow, winning 7-6; grass games at Buckland Farm and Font Royal, at which they were also victorious. They tripped up at Virginia Beach, after being hosted grandly by Bart Frye, but the game also drew a large crowd and raised $30,000 for local children’s charities.

Click here for a personal view of the tour