Polo & More, Singapore 2017 Polo & More, Singapore 2017 | Page 27

“The biggest win so far, we have never played at this level before, 4-6 goals
and WINNING such a prestigious Asian tournament. Player Shane Boyd
gave the HONG KONG POLO TEAM a much more balanced format with a
virtually un-breakable wall at the back. Over the two week tournament
our team played a much more structured game than our opponents, with
players Lynly Fong leading the attack, Isabelle Larenaudie doing tireless
work to create space for me as Captain, to control the game and take us to
a WIN for HONG KONG.” – Captain Patrick Furlong
A
lmost 20 years ago on 1st July 1997, the Union Jack was lowered for the very last time, as the British Empire’s 99-year lease on Hong Kong expired and
the administrative reigns were handed back to the DPRC (Democratic People’s Republic of China). As the then Governor General Chris Patten said his
farewells, one always wondered what bastions of Colonialism would survive if any. You don’t get more British than the game of polo, pre 1997 it didn’t
exist in Hong Kong or the New Territories, but in the intervening years since, the sport has prospered across mainland China, so it was only a matter of time
before it found a firm footing and willing participants in this former British Colony, advocating for a permanent home on the land strapped island. The players,
most of whom are resident in Singapore, travel to clubs across Asia and beyond to promote their brand and crusade for their cause.
Its all red and white, Shane Boyd for the Hong Kong Polo Team
Patrick Furlong on the move
The 2016 TATA Communications Singapore Open, saw a well-organized, well mounted Hong
Kong polo team of Patrick Furlong, Shane Boyd, Lynly Fong and Isabelle Larenaudie put on a
display of skill that edged their competitors out to hand them a narrow victory 9 ½ - 9 over the
equally well organized and mounted Garcha Hotels team of Satinder Garcha, Sattar Khan, Vinod
Kumar and Will Vogel.
10 days of intense battle ensued amongst the three teams that entered the tournament; Garcha
Hotels, Royal Salute and the Hong Kong polo team. Hong Kong had won all 3 of their league matches
thereby making their advance to the Final absolute, and clear favourites to take the title. The other
two teams had both dropped the ball, losing at least 2 of their league games. Even though Garcha
hotels advanced to the Finals on a points advantage, they were determined to show that they
were not only worthy adversaries but could be deserving victors… but the day was not to be theirs
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despite their very valiant efforts. The eagerly awaited
final delivered everything it promised and more,
it certainly turned out to be the most exhilarating
match of the entire tournament.
As soon as the first chukker commenced the
teams found that they were not only competing
against each other but the weather as well. The
Hong Kong polo team, started off the match with a
½ goal advantage on handicap, the ½ goal which
ultimately was to hand them the victory. They
kicked off the action with an impressive goal in