Duke of York Cup. RN v RAF Polo Match

Published: 26/07/2011

The final tournament of the month took place the following weekend when the RN met the RAF for the Duke of York cup.  Aplin and Suzuki were joined by Lustman and Corbett to face a competent and balanced RAF team of Air Cdre Tim Brown, Wing Commander Martin Adcock and Flight Lieutenants Vicky Woodhead and Richard Williams.  Starting with 1½ goals on handicap, the RAF were quick to attack but confident defending by Aplin soon turned the play into a Navy assault which culminated in Suzuki opening the RN tally.  The Navy were then unlucky not to score on 2 further occasions but converted a penalty before the end of the chukka  to take the lead 2 – 1½.  Maintaining the pressure in the second chukka, the RN scored 3 further goals (2 penalties and a field goal) but the RAF also converted a penalty to put the score at 5 – 2½ at half time.  In the second half the Navy continued to dominate although the RAF defended bravely.  An excellent backhand pass by Lustman had Suzuki scoring the 6^th RN goal as the chukka ended.  The RAF fought back in the final chukka to gain their second goal but Suzuki scored once again to give the Navy a convincing win 7 – 3½ at the final whistle.  Corbett, in his first formal fixture for the RN, played particularly well.