England (Jack Richardson, Max Charlton, James Beim and James Harper) fielded a new-look national team in this year’s Coronation Cup and experienced growing pains in a 12-11 loss to a talent-laden Commonwealth lineup (Hissam Ali Hyder, Chris Mackenzie, John Paul Clarkin and Fred Mannix).
The two teams played evenly throughout much of the match, entering the final chukker all even at 9-9. The Commonwealth controlled much of the final chukker, scoring three consecutive goals for a 12-9 advantage. Goals by Beim and Harper (penalty conversion) kept the English hopes alive but it was the Commonwealth with the 12-11 win when the final horn sounded.
A good showing was made by both Richardson and Harper who made their Coronation Cup debuts while Charlton was appearing in the prestigious event for only the second time. Team captain James Beim provided the veteran leadership in his eleventh Coronation appearance.
South African 6-goaler Chris Mackenzie was named MVP while Jack Richardson’s 12-year-old Bay mare, Light Night, was honored as Best Playing Pony.
The Coronation Cup is an international competition that dates back to 1911 and provides an end to the high-goal season in England. The match will serve as a training experience for Harper, Charlton and Richardson as they work to strengthen the English national team in years to come.