On a magnificent white sandy beach, in front of the very grand Intercontinental Hotel, with the sparkling blue sea of the Gulf of Thailand behind, the stage was set for the Asian Beach Polo Championships 2014 in Hua Hin. The teams and crowd had travelled from far afield to watch this spectacular annual event, which showcases the best beach polo in the whole of Asia.
The first final of the afternoon was the Junior Polo Championship, contested by the Thai Polo Club and the newly formed St Andrew’s Polo team. It was a hard fought game, where defensive strategies dominated and in the end the game was settled by just a single goal. That goal was scored by the outstanding player of the final, Richard van Oosteyen for St Andrew’s Polo and they were crowned Asian Beach Polo Junior Champions at their first attempt!
The Asian Beach Polo Junior Champions: Damion Sudhirak (aged 10), Ben Harcourt-Harrison (aged 9) and Richard van Oosteyen (aged 10) from the St. Andrew’s junior polo team.
Representing St Andrews Polo were: Damion Sudhirak (aged 10), Ben Harcourt-Harrison (aged 9) and Richard van Oosteyen (aged 10). Ben told reporters afterwards, “It was a very tough match and incredibly hot! Our ponies took a while to get used to the large crowd and all the flags flying, but in the end we are all very happy that we won!”
The junior teams entering the pitch.
All three boys looked very proud in their brand new green shirts, as they then watched France beating Thailand to 3rd place before Macau were crowned champions beating Hong Kong in the final.
The Beach Polo Championship signals the end of the polo season in Thailand, but I am sure the St Andrews Polo Junior team will be eager for the new season to start again in November.
Ben Harcourt-Harrison being interviewed after the game.
