Polo & More 2014
Polo & More 2014
Barbados and it was Cheshire’s turn to go scoreless in the
second chukker. Barbados’ pressure on the Cheshire defence
forced Taylor to defend deep in his own half and with Taylor
out of the scoring equation, Barbados kept the visitors off the
board once again in the third as Gemmell added another goal
for the home side.
Cheshire were nothing if not resolute by the onset of the final chukker, and a heavy assault on the Barbados goal ensued,
Taylor may have played defence too long in this game though
as he missed two penalties that would have closed the gap.
The goal to cut into the deficit came from Thomas, with victory in touching distance Cheshire went on the attack. However
time after time Barbados averted danger and held on for their
slim margin of victory and the advantage heading into the final. The series was now 2 – 1 in Barbados’ favour.
Unlike last year, the series was not decided before the final
game of the tour and Cheshire was h oping they would be able
to claw back a game to at least level the series by the end of the
finale at the Holders polo ground. There is an old saying that
you save the best for last, and Barbados did just that and fielded their strongest team of the series; the quartet of Richard
Gooding, Phillip Tempro, Teddy Williams and Danny Atwell.
Did Cheshire really have a chance against this formidable lineup?
Starting again with a half-goal advantage due to a handicap
difference, the visitors gave a clear warning of their intentions
as they opened the scoring in the first chukker to hold on to
their advantage lead. This goal came after they had missed a
penalty in the very first minute of play.
In the fast opening first chukker, it seemed as though both
teams found scoring hard to come by with the ball rapidly changing possession as players of both sides fought hard
to gain the initiative for their respective teams. Spearheaded
by the fine stick-work of Danny Atwell, Barbados pulled one
back before the end of the chukker.
A very intent Teddy Williams
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Cheshire’s Josh Woolley heading for goal
In the second chukker, Barbados stepped up the pressure
and made many dangerous raids on Cheshire’s goal area. The
constant bombardment weakened the visitor’s defences and
the local team seized the chances to capitalise on their scoring
opportunities. Goals from Atwell, Gooding and Williams all
featured in this chukker as Barbados moved from trailing at
the end of the first chukker, to being up 4-1 ½ at the end of the
second.
In the third chukker an intriguing battle ensued between the
local team and the visitors with a number of scoring opportunities wasted. Taylor finally scored for the trailing visitors but
a swift answer was given by the hard pressing Atwell who kept
the advantage for Barbados at the same margin.
Play was fast and aggressive in the final chukker, as Cheshire
tried to put in one final bid to level the series. Taylor scored for
Cheshire in an effort to pull his team back, but the Barbados
Oliver Taylor being ridden hard by Philip Tempro,
with Teddy Williams in support
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