STELLA ARTOIS MELBOURNE CUP

Wednesday 5th November. It was a glorious summer day at Werribee, with a light northerly so we were enjoying the sun and warmth. There was a picnic atmosphere, families sitting on the grass together, the clubhouse hosting the day most generously. Really it could not have been better, everything you imagine the perfect polo day to be. Turtle Island v Sandalford (umpires Simon Keyte, Sam Gairdner). Chukka 1. 4 min 50seconds into the 1st chukka a goal towas scored by Turtle Island and then a penalty hit was taken by Glen Gilmore from the 30 yd, Goal. 1 all. Chukka2. In the 2nd min Hamish Mclachlan, for Turtle Island, scored a goal from a long run down the clubhouse side of the field. 2-1 . A quick equalizer from Glen Gilmore evened it again at 2 all. Stirling took a spectacular tumble but he and pony were ok. 2 all at the end of chukka 2. Chukka 3 started on the boards by the clubhouse from were Hamish hit a goal in the first 30 secs. Again Turtle Island scored a goal from Stirling's mallet 30 secs later. 4-2 Turtle Island. A 30yd penalty in favour of Sandalford was taken by Glen Gilmore and scored and then another goal from Glen tied it up at 4 all. Turtle Island then scored from the field and then Sandalford replied. Turtle Island had a hit from a penalty at the throw in centre field. Stirling had a fantastic run towards goal but alas the head of his mallet broke. Sandalford no 2 Tex Webster scored a masterful goal on the bell to tie the scores at 5 all. Chukka 4 commenced with a penalty centrefield taken by Turtle Island but it was picked off by Glen and a very smooth three hit run gave him the goal 6-5 Sandalford. We had a lengthy delay with the ambo attending Glen Gilmore, however he played on. This spurred on Peter Prendiville for Sandalford as he made an excellent run to the road end and scored. 7-5. Terrific team work between Stirling and Hamish gave Turtle Island the next goal. This ended the chukka 706 Sandalford. Chukka 5. At the 13 sec mark Stirling managed his 2nd 'decking' of the match. Olly Cudmore No1 Sandalford scored to take his team 8-6 up. Hamish McLachlan made a sustained run after pinching the ball from Glen and hit a goal. 8-7. Sandalford scored again by their No4. 9-7. Gillon then took a slow motion dive over the head of his nice black pony and Olly came out in sympathy, both on their feet and ok. Goal to Glen Gilmore of Sandalford after a run from an enormous strike. 10-7 Sandalford. Chukka 6. Turtle Island scored a goal from a penalty then had stopped. 10-8. Sandalford took a penalty 40yd, and Glen Gilmore on a grey pony hit a fabulous goal into the unprotected goal. 11-8. Glen scored another goal (after a 'hit and hope' in the melee, bounced off a horse and bounced back and Gen hit it again successfully). 12-8. A penalty in goal was taken by Turtle Island and Stirling scored 12-9 to end the game. We had a long delay due to the 'yips' with Pitchfork's truck!! Instead of 2pm we started at 3.50pm. I think the delay allowed everyone to relax a little as this week with polo and racing and work as well for some has been pretty full on. Pitchfork v West Side umpires Time Keyte and Ed Hitchman. Chukka 1. in the first minute a 30rd penalty already!, was taken by Greg Keyte but missed. A very fast run by Angus Karroll resulted in a goal for West Side. 1-0 Westside. Greg Keyte then scored a goal off a pass from Sam Gairdner. 1 all. Chukka 2. Neil Craig then scored agoal and then Sam Hopkinson got into the act as well. 3-1 WS. Just as the bell rang Sam Gairdner replied with a goal for Pitchfork. 3-2 WS.
Chukka 3. 2 minutes in Westside scored again through James Harper and again by Sam Hopkinson. 5-2 WS. After a few very "hairy", rush of blood, minutes the umpires declared ZERO TOLERANCE, last warning! Another penalty taken by Greg Keyte but converted this time. 5-3 WS. This opened the gate for Pitchfork and they scored 2 more unanswered goals from Sam and Greg to tie the scores 5 all. Chukka 4. A horse race ensued between Greg and James and Jame won and slotted the goal. 6-5WS. A 30yd unprotected goal penalty taken for Pitchfork by Greg Keyte, goal. 6 all. Neil then scored another goal and James too with magnificent ball control. 8-6 WS. A penalty was converted to take Westside out to a 3 goal lead at the end of the 4th 9-6. Chukka 5. Hoppy put another one through and then Grg Keyte scores for Pitchfork to take the score to 10-7 WS. Pitchfork scored 2 more before Hoppy put one through to end the chukka 11-9 WS. 35 seconds into the 6th Sam Gairdner scored for Pitchfork and a missed penalty by Greg was saved and put back thtough to be 11 all. Greg then scored a field goal and then Neil Craig replied to keep the scores even at 12 all. A penalty was awared to Pitchfork after the first bell of the last chukka and it was converted by Sam Gardiner to give his team victory over Westside 13-12.