The Crabbies Coworth Ladies Championships 2010 culminated at the weekend and saw end to end and action packed play resulting in a clear win by the Crabbies team of 6 goals against The Belvedere Arms team of 2 goals.
Captained by Sarah Wiseman, the all girls team made up of Alice Gipps, Aurora Eastwood and Heloise Lorentzen was sponsored by Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer, also title sponsors of the event. The team won all play offs in order to reach the final having beaten Claire Milford-Haven’s team Jaeger LeCoultre captained by Nina Clarkin and Ploy Bhinsaeng’s team King Power captained by Charlotte Sweeney.
The Belvedere Arms team put up a strong fight with captain Rosie Ross ensuring end to end play backed up by Lucy Taylor, Lucinda Watson and Alex Jacobs.
With the final score not reflecting the action packed game, speed or open play, the final teams were well matched with the first chukka resulting in not one goal being scored by either side. The Crabbies team spiced things up in the following chukkas while also being coached by Glen Gilmore who commented “The girls played as a strong team throughout the tournament. They worked only as a team, supported one another and their strategy and game play was perfect. The final game saw both team hitting balls most of the way down the pitch each time with perfect back hands and the speed you would normally expect of a higher handicapped tournament”.
The subsidiary final saw Yasmin Sheikh’s team BHC made up of Lia Salvo, Marinella Castagnola, Clare Brougham and Lisa Whyman standing in for Yasmin meet King Power with an equally compelling game. Another fast flowing and open game saw the final scored board give 8 goals to BHC and 6.5 to King Power.
The stars of the weekend nominated by Roddy Wood of Coworth Park were Sarah Wiseman who won MVP sponsored by the Dorchester Collection with a weekend for two at the Le Meurice, Paris and a Full Swing Polo stick blanket. Paulita, recently purchased by Aurora Eastwood won the Best Playing Pony prize sponsored by Crabbies with the groom happy to received after a long hot day a crate of Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer. The best turned out string went to Alex Jacob who not only played extremely well but had her horses immaculate for the game having groomed for herself with the support of sister Nell Jacobs and mum Nikki Jacobs. Marianela Castagnola received MVP for the sub-finals receiving Crabbies Ginger wine, Crabbies clothing and dinner at the Belverdere Arms. The Best Playing Pony went to Balad owned by BHC and played by Lia Salvo.
With 30 degree heat and complimentary Crabbies cocktails and Ginger Beer the day could not have been more perfect. With over 500 spectators turning out to support women’s Polo, Liz Brewer, London’s Premier Party Organiser, Celebrity Publicist and Etiquette Expert Celebrity with clients which include Ivana Trump and Dame Shirley Bassey attending commented “Everyone agrees this is the best women’s polo tournament ever!”.
The girls could not have been happier as they were presented with prizes from Casablanca, Full Swing Polo, Coco Boutique, Stickheadz, Aerborne and The Dorchester by Dean Senior Crabbies representative who added amazing amounts of hampers and alcohol to the prize table.
Special thanks also to Coworth Park for hosting the tournament in such an idyllic setting on beautifully maintained polo grounds. Special thanks to the tournaments title sponsors Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer who supported the tournament as title sponsors and team sponsors for the first time. The Belvedere Arms were also fantastic in their contribution towards the tournament, hosting the Teams Presentation evening and after party with complementary Crabbies cocktails and food.
Click on the photos to VIEW LARGE VERSION. Photo Credit: Alice Gipps http://www.alicegipps.com