& More 2015
Master
Craftsmen
The Villages put on a crafty performance
to take a series win on their annual Barbados visit
By Corey Greaves
n Barbados, three games of polo in four days is more of the exception,
rather than the rule, but the start of the 2014 season was at the mercy of
erratic rainfall on the island, causing the cancellation of numerous games
prior to the start of and the initial opening game of the annual Villages tour.
When the players eventually rode out onto the field for the start of this long
awaited encounter, it was a weekend packed with excitement of back to
back games. Players were desperate to play all three games in the series for
the touring fans and locals alike, the organisers obliged and crammed all
three games into an extended weekend of end to end horse stomping action.
The popularity of the series has had continued growth over the years,
both from a spectator and travelling supporter perspective. With the
Villages last visit there were around 17 supporters who accompanied
the team for the tournament but this year that number had risen to 38
excluding the players. The Villages had a combined 7-goal handicap
32
Photos by Lisa Davis
with Stewart Campbell, Paige Boone, Jim Parr and Justin Baisch
saddling up for the opening game. Barbados fielded a team of Rhys
Odle, Wayne Archer, Pablo Crespin and Alex Cole, intent on defending
their home soil after not faring so well when the Villages last visited
in 2013. A loss that they ultimately vanquished the last time these two
teams met, when the Caribbean side was on the return visit to the Villages
in the USA in the summer. But Barbados was looking for a home rather
than an away victory.
Fans were not to be disappointed with this opening game, which
saw an ensuing see-saw battle between the two sides. Playing at the
official home of Barbados polo, the Holders Polo Ground, the
Hyundai sponsored Barbados team got off to an excellent start as Alex
Cole scored the opening goal of the game. The subsequent throw in and
change of ends, also worked in favour of Barbados and this time it was