RN v Army - Thorney Island 5 Jun 11

Published: 08/06/2011

The centrepiece of the Royal Artillery Polo Day on Thorny Island was a match between the Army and Royal Navy Development teams. The Navy team comprised of Andy Corbett playing at 1 and making his JDS debut, Nick Philips at 2, Hiro Suzuki playing at 3 and Steve Spiller at 4. With the Army handicap 1 goal higher, the Navy started with a ½ goal advantage. The Navy team quickly settled, applying pressure throughout the first chukka, resulting in a 30 yard penalty being awarded and duly converted by Steve Spiller. The second chukka continued in the same vein with the Navy tightly marking their opponents in defence whilst finding space to press forward in attack leading to an early field goal from Hiro Suzuki. An excellent example of team play followed with Hiro Suzuki passing forward to Alex Corbett who took the ball forward into the 30.  Nick Phillips rode off the remaining Army defender leaving a straight forward opportunity for Steve Spiller to extend the lead to 3½ - 0. The Army changed their tactics in the third chukka trying in vain to close down Hiro Suzuki and disrupt the navy distribution. This failed to make an impact and resulted in more space for the other Navy players. Nick Philips applied pressure to the Army number four at their hit out allowing Steve Spiller to score and further field goals from Hiro Suzuki and Steve Spiller followed. The final chukka saw a more even contest with the Army pressing to score a consolation goal but with both teams missing a number of opportunities to score, making the final result 6½ - 0 to the Royal Navy.

Players from left to right Hiro Suzuki, Steve Spiller, Andy Corbett, Nick Phillips