Tianjin, China, 16th July 2014 – Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 – The Cambridge Challenge, is currently underway at Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club. The first day of the five-day event ended leaving newcomers London victorious over Yale and Harvard victorious over Stanford, who was also new to the tournament. Today, the second day of this five-day event, presented four teams the opportunity of advancing to the next round in the hope of being crowned this year’s champions of Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo.
Teams competing in the event last year included the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Harvard University and Yale University. This year the tournament has included two additional university polo teams, with the University of London and Stanford University also swinging their mallets in the exciting five-day event.
The tournament, which is now in its second year, has become an integral resource in the promotion of the elegant and historical game of polo among China’s youth. The Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club is keen to use this platform to encourage more interest and enthusiasm in the game of polo, as well as provide an opportunity for academic, cultural and social exchanges among representatives from universities, as well as local students and parents. For many, polo is fast becoming more than just a game, but a way of life.
The annual event attracts large groups of university alumni, many of whom have flown in from their home countries to support their alma maters in Tianjin. The sidelines are also frequented by VIP guests, international polo experts and media. Guests are able to enjoy the games from the comfortable garden seating or inside one of the air-conditioned marquees, where refreshments are served throughout the chukkas.
At last year’s event, Cambridge managed to scoop the final prize, following a fierce battle with Harvard. This year, anticipation is high to see whether they will be able to secure their title for another year.
Cloudy skies and heavy rains earlier on the day provided some questions about the quality of play in today’s matches, but the weather was pleasantly cooler than usual and the rain had little effect on these elite athletes. The first match of today’s tournament, Cambridge, the returning champions, took on Oxford. It was a slow start on this moist day with both teams showing solid defence. With the help of 2013’s Most Valuable Player, Sam Browne, and Angad Singh, Cambridge were able to overcome the 1.5 point handicap in the first chukka leaving the score 2-1.5. In the opening of the second chukka, Singh missed an easy penalty shot sitting in front of the goal. Both teams show outstanding defence throughout this chukka. Cambridge had a great opportunity in the last seconds to score but the whistle was blown leaving the second chukka scoreless for both sides. Cambridge took back the momentum scoring 4 times in the third chukka, highlighted by Browne’s third point in the match, a beautiful drive down field displaying the acceleration and control he had over his pony Cocktail. In the fourth chukka, Oxford were able to subdue Cambridge’s offense. Tomas Reynal was able to put one through the posts on a penalty making it a 3.5 points’ match, but it wasn’t enough. Cambridge walked away with a win. Sam Browne stated that they were pleased with their performance coming into this tournament after a 6-week break and then celebrating his 21st birthday in China with teammates, but they were also aware that there was heavy competition ahead.
After a short intermission, riders from London and Harvard took to the field for what was to be another exciting match. London came out strong showing both great offense and spectacular defence from London’s new addition, Charles Scott, who arrived when the tournament was already underway. London scored 3 points in the first chukka taking a commanding 3-0 lead. Looking as if London would run away with this match, Harvard were able to put three through the posts as London’s offense went cold in the second chukka. The first half ended, but not before JP Meyer Jr could score one last goal as the bell rang, leaving Harvard trailing London by one point in an exciting first half. The third chukka set off with London finding their rhythm as Charles Scott, showing some electric play in the second half, brook away for his second point of the match. Johann Colloredo-Mansfeld missed a 60-yard penalty attempt as the ball soared wide right of the goal leaving the score 7-3 at the end of the third chukka. The fourth chukka set off with another long drive from Scott, who put it in off the left post for his third point of the match. Harvard’s Johann was able to drive and put one more through the posts with 41 seconds left on the clock, but it just wasn’t enough for this Harvard squad. London claimed victory with a 9-4 lead over Harvard to close out today’s tournament play.
The tournament will continue on the 17th with more exciting polo. We look forward to seeing how Stanford will fare against the strong Cambridge team, as well as who will come out victorious between Oxford and Yale.
The results so far:
Sunday, 13 July 2014
Result:
London vs Yale
10 – 7.5
Stanford vs Harvard
4 – 11
Wednesday, 16 July 2014
Result:
Oxford vs Cambridge
2.5 – 6
London vs Harvard
9 – 4
The tournament schedule will continue as follows:–
17 July 2014 (THU)
17:00
Stanford vs Cambridge
18:00
Oxford vs Yale
19 July 2014 (SAT)
16:00
Oxford vs Harvard
17:00
Stanford vs Yale
18:00
London vs Cambridge
20 July 2014 (SUN)
15:30
5th&6th Place Match
16:30
Subsidiary Final
17:30
Final
ORGANISERS
Tianjin Polo Association
Hong Kong Polo Development and Promotion Federation
Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club
TEAMS
Cambridge University Polo Club
The University of London Polo Club
Oxford University Polo Club
Harvard Polo Club
Stanford Polo Club
Yale University Polo Club
OFFICIAL JERSEY SUPPLIER
La Martina
OFFICIAL GLOBAL MEDIA PARTNER
E
Questrio
About Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club
Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club currently features three standard-size polo fields, stabling over 200 horses, all-weather training facilities, a riding school and a luxurious Club House and a 167-room resort-style hotel. The state-of-the-art equestrian facilities are used and maintained by professionals from all over the world.
Apart from being the host venue of the 2012, 2013 and 2014 FIP Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup, major international fixtures on the Club’s annual calendar include various spring and autumn tournaments and matches for different levels of play from youth to professional.
Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club was opened in November 2010 as the sporting and social flagship of “Goldin Metropolitan”, a mega-development by Hong Kong-listed developer Goldin Properties Holdings Limited comprising three zones: a Central Business District, home to the 117-storey Goldin Finance 117; the 898,000 square metres’ (222-acre) Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club and Fortune Heights, a low-density luxury residence.
For more information or high-resolution images, please contact:
Fiona Gu
Assistant Manager, Marketing and Communications
Office: +86 022 8372 8888 ext. 7902
Mobile: +86 138 2053 3909
Email:fionagu@metropolitanpoloclub.com
Susie Yang
Marketing & Communication Assistant
Office: +86 022 8372 8888 ext. 7912
Mobile: +86 138 2116 4102
Email:susieyang@metropolitanpoloclub.com
A tough fight between Cambridge (in light blue) and Oxford (in dark blue)
at the Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 on the second day
A tough fight between Cambridge (in light blue) and Oxford (in dark blue)
at the Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 on the second day
A tough fight between Cambridge (in light blue) and Oxford (in dark blue)
at the Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 on the second day
A tussle for the ball between Harvard (in black) and London (in red and white)
at the Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 on the second day
A tussle for the ball between Harvard (in black) and London (in red and white)
at the Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 on the second day
Charles Scott (in red and white) from University of London engaged in a tough battle with
Johann Colloredo-Mansfeld (in black) from Harvard University at
the Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 on the second day