A HUGE international contingent descended on Cirencester once again for the highly coveted Ladies Tournament.

Polo

Cirencester Polo Club

Ladies Tournament Finals Day 2014

Stobart 4.5

Wild Orchid 5

Katie Jenkinson’s Stobart team were forced to relinquish the stunning trophy this year to Sarah Hughes’ Wild Orchid side in a nail-biting final.

The game was a fast, attacking contest from the first roll-in and hardly drew breath until the last bell. The Cirencester crowds were treated to a spectacular game far exceeding expectations of its four-goal status.

Stobart took an early lead when Lucy Taylor added to their half-goal handicap start.

The world's highest rated player, Cirencester local Nina Clarkin was denied a certain goal by the bell sounding for the end of the first chukka but she rectified matters at the beginning of the second.

It was then Nina who put Wild Orchid ahead after good work from Hughes and she subsequently converted 40-yard and 60-yard penalties, while Hazel Jackson answered with a spot hit for Stobart to make it 4 - 2.5.

Any Wild Orchid complacency was ended by two goals in quick succession for Jackson.

New Zealander Lottie Lamacraft then completed a solo goal which helped her win the Most Valuable Player award and made the final score 5 - 4.5.

Players were treated to fantastic prizes including flying lessons from tournament sponsors Cotswold Airport, hotel stay vouchers from Kings Head Hotel, Amelia Jane goody bags and Buffalo Hyde clutch bags.

LOCAL ladies RJ Polo went on to beat Maple Leafs 3.5 - 2 in the subsidiary Ladies' Plate Final.