Close polo matches, Night Beach Polo, a race between polo pony and Audi Q7, fashion show, beach volleyball, glamorous parties – the fifth Asahi British Beach Polo Championship on peninsula Sandbanks at the British Channel was THE event in the British summer. The frolic mood was not endangered by the bad weather. Four nations – England, Wales, Ireland and Scottland – were dueling in thrilling matches with close decisions. In the first match on friday Team Wales was able to defeat Team England with 12:11. Even the second game between Scotland and Ireland was hardly fought. On saturday Team Scotland won against Team England with 10:7. But most thrilling was the final between Team Ireland and Team Wales. Just in the very last second Niall Donelly (+4) scored in the last chukker at the same time as the chukker bell rang. He saved the victory for the Irish team – with Colm Purcell (+1), Niall Donnelly (+4) und Guy Higginson (+5) – with this 7:6.
In addition to the championships the teams Dutton Gregory and IT Media were fighting for victory on friday in the first Night Beach Polo worldwide. The friendly match was finally won by Christian Badenhop (+2), Will Blake Thomas (+3) and Dave Allen (+5).
Another moment of suspense was created through the beloved race of a polo pony and an Audi Q7. David Kelly managing director of Poole Audi: „On friday the polo pony was ridden by Josh Lewsey. The former winner of England Rugby International and Rugby World Cup managed it to defeat the Audi competently. Also on saturday the SUV was without a chance against the pony, this time ridden by Colm Purcell of the Irish polo team. But the decision was closer this time. The truly winners are „Help for Heroes“ profiting of the bets of 2.500 British Pounds.“
Johnny Wheeler of Sandpolo Events: „My aim was it to show the polo sport to a wider audience. This succeeded more than expected – the audience was engaged, the VIP and Hospitality Tickets were sold out on both days. The Asahi British Beach Polo Championships are established and we cannot wait for the event 2013.“
The Rankings of Asahi British Beach Polo Championships:
1. Irland – Flame Agency (+10)
Colm Purcell (+1)
Niall Donnelly (+4)
Guy Higginson (+5)
2. Wales – Clogau (+10)
Ricky Cooper (+1)
Roddy Matthews (+4)
Richard Blake-Thomas (+5)
3. Schottland – Life Magazines (+14)
Dillon Bacon (+1)
Gonzalo Garcia Del Rio (+6)
Jamie Le Hardy (+7)
4. England – Amika (+13)
Roy Prisk (+3)
Charlie Wooldridge (+4)
Jamie Morrison (+7)
The Rankings of Night Beach Polo:
1. IT Media (+10)
Christian Badenhop (+2)
Will Blake-Thomas (+3)
Dave Allen (+5)
2. Dutton Gregory (+10)
Dillon Bacon (+1)
Charlie Wooldridge (+3)
Gonzalo Garcia Del Rio (+6)
