RAF TRAINING-END AT CRANWELL

OVER the weekend of May 6-8th, the Royal Air Force Polo Association had its second polo training weekend, which was held again at the Royal Air Force's historical home, RAF Cranwell.

Set in the scenic Lincolnshire countryside, RAF Cranwell also hosts several other major equestrian events throughout the year, which accounts for its first class facilities.

The polo pitch is set on the edge of the North Airfield along side a Golf course, a cross-country course and several sports pitches.

The players were extremely fortunate to have College Hall as a backdrop to their matches, and while most of England was subjected to severe storms and rain, Cranwell came through with barely a drop.

On the Friday, 13 members of the association were coached by grade 1 HPA coach Paul Piddington, who came down from Beverley Polo Club for the occasion.

His tuition included basic instruction where individual skills were addressed on the ground. Then, after a tactics and rules lecture, the group moved onto the horses to practice riding and stick and ball skills, all of which were put to test in the training chukkas at the end of the afternoon.

On the Saturday, team play was the name of the game. The RAF main team played against Rutland Polo Club, and the newly formed RAF Captain and Subalterns team played an exciting match against Beverley Polo Club. Again the advice and encouragement given by our coach was invaluable.

On Sunday, further training chukkas were played in the form of a mini American style tournament, providing the opportunity for all the RAF players, new and old, to put their skills into practice. Four teams were formed, with each team playing two two-chukka matches. The chukkas were played at a pace where rules and individual as well as team skills and tactics could be demonstrated, discussed and when required, replayed.

All in all the Cranwell weekend is a hugely popular event both with the members and the growing amount of supporters. It is held in a format that finds favour with many of the players and provides a solid foundation for RAF members to roll straight into the oncoming Polo season.