21st June 2007
History is made at Watergate Bay as the UK's first beach polo match takes place in Cornwall.
Honours were shared between the two teams competing for the inaugural Watergate Bay Trophy as Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach - the UK’s first ever beach polo match - was played in front of hundreds of spectators last night.
Despite strong winds and heavy rain earlier in the day, a large crowd turned out to witness the exhibition match played between members of Taunton Vale Polo Club. They were rewarded with an evening of glorious sunshine and action-filled polo in a stunning location.
“Overall the match was brilliant, it went really well,” said event organiser Paul Youngs of Clifton Polo Club. “It was great fun and the spectators seemed to really enjoy being so close to the action.
“Playing on the beach is completely different to grass polo. The ponies really enjoyed it - they can turn much quicker on sand than on grass, it’s more like riding a motorcycle. The ponies can really spin around, which makes the game much faster and pacier. Running the ponies into the surf was a bit scary as it was new to them, but once they had been into the water they were fine and loved it.”
The Grange of Exeter Aston Martin team of Phil Lemanski, Chris Andrews and event organiser Paul Youngs looked like they would run away with the match as they scored twice in the opening chukka.
However, with the Aston Martin team carrying a two goal handicap, the Knight Frank Exeter team of John Fisher, Mark Williams and Geoff Persey managed to fight their way back into the game as the players got accustomed to the unfamiliar playing surface.
As the tide advanced, driven higher than predicted up the beach by the strong winds earlier in the day, spectators were able to get even closer to the action as the width of the playing area was reduced by the advancing sea.
This resulted in a very tightly-fought conclusion to the match, as players jostled for position in the shoreline. The Aston Martin team had the chance to seal a win with a penalty hit, but the goal was narrowly missed and as the hooter sounded for the end of the fourth and final chukka, the scores were tied at 2-2.
“Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach was all about bringing polo to people rather than people to polo, and I think we managed to do just that at Watergate Bay,” said Paul Youngs. “A large number of the spectators on the beach had never seen polo before, and I can’t think of a better introduction to this wonderful sport than to watch a match on a beach on a summer evening with a glass of champagne in your hand.”
Following the trophy presentation, attention shifted to arguably the most important part of the event: the post polo party in the Ocean Room at the Hotel. Live music was provided by the band Small Wonders and players and spectators all enjoyed champagne cocktails and a barbecue buffet on the pool terrace.
ENDS
Notes For Editors
The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay is one of Britain’s leading venues for beach sports. Founded in 1999, the Extreme Academy comprises specialist schools for surfing, kitesurfing, waveski and mountainboarding; technical equipment hire; and the Extreme Store, stocking a wide range of clothing and technical equipment. The Beach Hut, located on the ground floor of The Extreme Academy, is well known as Cornwall’s coolest beach hangout, and a great place to eat.
The Hotel, Watergate Bay After an extensive programme of refurbishment and a merger with the Extreme Academy, The Hotel, Watergate Bay offers an unique contemporary beach lifestyle on the north coast of Cornwall. Still family owned and run, The Hotel features a fresh modern look, AA Rosette dining and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Facilities include 70 bedrooms, two restaurants, two pools and a tennis court. www.watergatebay.co.uk
White Stuff, the fashion lifestyle clothing label, was founded in 1985. They currently have 35 White Stuff shops and over 100 wholesale outlets throughout the UK as well as a website and mail order business. The brand is definitely fashion for lovers not victims – and this is reflected in the relaxed styling, lovely detailing and discreet branding on their quality clothing. White Stuff customers are 25-40 ‘something’s’ who know the fashion trends but have their own sense of style. White Stuff are sponsors of the Extreme Academy, and supply staff uniforms for The Hotel and Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay, and Fifteen Cornwall.
Media Contact - PR on behalf of The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay
For more information and images contact: Jim Michell at Barefoot Media.
Telephone: +44 (0)1208 895089 Email: jim@barefootmedia.co.uk |
