Portman Polo - 2008  Season

This year the Pony Club Polo was split into the traditional Pony Club divisions and new HPA (Hurlingham Polo Association) divisions for the better players.  We decided to enter a Portman team in the HPA Langford Division  (Under 18).  The biggest change from last year was that matches would be 4 chukkas not 1.  The Portman team consisted of Alexander Mains, Jamie Fry (Cattistock), George Allen (Wilton) and Jessica Horne (Tiverton).  The only other Portman player was Rex Woodhous who played in a different HPA division (Under 16) but not under the Portman name.

The Portman team played 4 matches.  The first was against Longdole Blue which we lost 4 ½  to 5.  The second was against Ladyswood which we lost 2 ½  to 6 and the third was against the top team in our division, the Pytchley which we lost 5 - 9.  The final match was against Northern Ireland which we also lost 3 - 4.  In total there were 9 teams in the Langford section of which only 4 teams were selected to go to Cowdray.  Two of our matches were very close and could have gone either way.

The new organisation has increased the level of competition.  It was our first attempt at Langford and the team tried their very best.

Rex Woodhouse, like Alexander Mains last season, was selected to play in a HPA select match at the end of the season.

The highlight of the season was when the Portman team were invited to play against the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst team.  The match was played infront of a crowd of approx 1000 with the Portman winning 15 - 2.

Jeremy Mains