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International Test Match at Hickstead

The first ever International Arena Polo Test Match was hosted at the All England Polo Club at Hickstead last Saturday and with a crowd of 300+ spectators applauding and cheering on their home team – they were not disappointed. The match flowed and so did the goals – 8 in the first, 5 in the second, 6 in the third and 9 in the 4th. England started on the attack and with confidence on their own horses - while South Africa on borrowed horses, seemed not so comfortable in the arena.

Supported by the HPA, the match was played for the ‘Bryan Morrison Arena Polo International Trophy’ – in recognition of the role that Bryan played in promoting arena polo in England prior to his accident. Hopefully this International Test Match will be played annually in future years – to become a landmark event of the winter season.

Teams :
South Africa (green) :
James Kane-Berman (5)
Selby Williamson (Capt) (7)
Terence Spilsbury (5)
Total : 17

England (white) :
Eden Ormerod (5)
Pete Webb (6)
Chris Hyde (Capt) (8)
Total : 19

With the South African team being awarded a 2 goal advantage on handicap, England came out on the attack and after a 15 yd undefended penalty Capt Chris Hyde fired in England’s first goal. SA Capt Selby Williamson scored the next, and then the youngest player in the arena at 19 years, Eden Ormerod secured two goals in succession to bring it 3 apiece by the first half of the first chukka. Hyde then made it 4 and a cheering crowd watched England take the lead. A hit by Terence Spilsbury for SA looked as if it would go in, but deflected instead off the goal post, followed after by a brilliant save by England’s Pete Webb right at the goal mouth to get the ball away (phew). A sharpish turn by Spilsbury meant an Umpire’s whistle at 2:18 minutes left on the clock - and players changed to fresh ponies. A spot hit in favour of England was taken by Hyde but it went wide. Spilsbury worked hard to retain, but Webb tactically left it for Ormerod to score – 5:3 to England. A SA rally at the goal mouth made it 5:4 and then Hyde’s neat shot to 6:4 at the end of the 1st.

At the start of the 2nd, SA and Spilsbury hit to Williamson but Ormerod was over his line – Umpire’s whistle. SA had to choose between a 25 yd undefended penalty or a free hit undefended to goal. Williamson hit but it went just to the left. Hyde with the ball, left for Webb who scored, then Hyde again and the score board showed 8 goals to 4 to England and a healthy lead. Spilsbury at centre line but then good work by Ormerod, then Williamson, then Webb and Ormerod comes through but saved by a backhand by James Kane-Berman at the corner. Spilsbury then tried to shoot – but was surrounded by scrambling players who all wanted a piece of the action. Then Webb found a way to score to make it 9:4 and Spilsbury looked a man possessed. Hyde, then Spilsbury (beaten off by Webb) then Hyde again – to check, turn and shoot, to make it 10:4. A Selby pass to Spilsbury saw he was too far to get the nearside shot he wanted. A backhand by James Kane-Berman got it away and then Hyde, then Selby, then Webb – all in the goal mouth, find a goal going to South Africa at the end of the 2nd – 10:5 to England.

Ormerod took the ball at the start of the 3rd over to the far side, into the corner, and then the backhand by James Kane-Berman caused the Umpire’s whistle. James Kane-Berman showed willing to die for his country. Hyde scored to make it 11 goals to 5 to England. Then Ormerod passed to Hyde and another whistle – Umpires didn’t like that. A 25 yd free hit in favour of SA, taken by Selby to goal – 11:6. Hyde with possession. then Selby, then Ormerod and then the whistle. Another free hit to SA, 25 yd undefended goal but it went wide left. A chance of another goal for England and Webb made it 12 goals to 6. After players changed to fresh horses, Selby scored to make it 13:7. Hyde with the ball and then the whistle – a 25 yd undefended free hit - but it went wide.. Selby with the ball, then Hyde keen to steal, then Spilsbury and Webb with a little backhand. Then Hyde again, then Ormerod and Spilsbury – teeth clenched and relentless. The ball found Hyde, then Selby who worked it around the corner and into the centre, but picked up again by Hyde, then Selby scooped it back to score an absolutely beautiful goal for SA – 13:8.

In the final chukka, Ormerod with the ball ended in a foul and the whistle favoured SA. But the game flowed well and the goals were thick and fast. There are 2 more goals for SA and 2 more for England, the score stood at 15:10. Then youngest kid on the block, Ormerod took an opportunity to make it 16 : 10. Another goal each and the score board displayed 17:11 with around 2 minutes remaining. Selby worked relentlessly and showed fantastic play, then Hyde left it for Webb but Selby picked it up to score, 17:12. An unlucky hit by James Kane-Berman was picked up by Ormerod – beautiful stickwork for England’s defence, but Umpire’s whistle. A 25 yd free hit to SA taken by Selby, but it dived right, so no good. A big hit by Hyde, picked up by Ormerod, then Hyde on the left – another Umpire’s whistle. With 10 seconds left on the board a 10 yd spot hit penalty to SA was taken by Selby to make it 17:13 in the dying seconds.


Text by: Jackie Thompson - www.7minutes.co.uk