The Final of the Hi-Pro and Pan Caribbean Coaching League in which teams played for the John Young Trophy was played for on Saturday, August 12, 2006 at the St. Ann Polo Club, Drax Hall. Six teams had entered the tournament, all consisting of youngsters – some not so new to the sport, and newcomers. Many were playing in their first tournament. Play offs were held at the Kingston Polo Club, Caymanas Estates and St. Ann Polo Club, Drax Hall and all the matches were very close, with only a goal separating the final scores. The winning Kingston team of Jason Wates, Joel Azan, Pieter Barrow and Tarik Felix, wearing the white Hi-Pro jerseys, met the winning St. Ann team of Craig Russell, Billy Vernon, Rory Vernon and Kyler Vernon wearing the yellow Pan Caribbean jerseys to play for the John Young trophy in front of a decent crowd of polo supporters.
The Hi-Pro team started with a 2 goal handicap advantage but Russell cut the deficit early in the first chukka carrying the ball out of the line up to score for the Pan Caribbean team. In the second chukka Russell scored again but Wates put one through for Hi-Pro to keep them in the lead by one goal at half time. The third chukka some some spectacular play from Russell and Wates with plenty of support from the rest of their teams but no one managed to put the ball through the posts. Play continued in a similar vein in the last chukka but it was Wates that scored to seal the Hi-Pro win by 4 goals to 2.
After the match both teams were congratulated on their play and challenged to carry the sport forward. While not the most high profile tournament on the polo calendar the John Young could actually be considered the most important as it is a reflection of the future of the sport. Peta Goldsmith of Pan Caribbean Merchant Bank, Ocho Rios presented the prizes and the trophy to the winning team and then everyone retired to the bar to help them celebrate their victory late into the evening.
This tournament concluded the polo season for 2006. Everyone will take about a 6 week break and then (weather permitting) will start playing practice polo again in October. The next tournament season will start in January 2007 with the Doc Masterton, followed by visits from several visiting teams and the I.C.W.I. International Ladies tournament.
Photo: (from Left to Right) Craig Russell, Joel Azan, Pieter Barrow, Rory Vernon and Jason Wates chasing a ball up the sidelines hit by Pieter Barrow.