Polo greats prepare for battle

The England polo team will face a formidable Argentine side at the Beaufort Polo Club on Saturday (24 June). Adolfo Cambiaso, the world’s greatest player, will be captaining the Argentinian side at the second Evolution Test Match, one of the West country’s most glamorous sporting occasions. The six-chukka fixture will be the first of England’s home Internationals this year. “It’s a great opportunity to see the finest player in the world and his compatriots taking on England’s best team,” said John Tinsley, chairman of the international committee of the Hurlingham Polo Association.

Argentina has triumphed on British soil seven times since 1953 and won the inaugural Evolution Test Match last year in front of 3,000 spectators. This year the Audi-supported British squad hopes to make history by overcoming the visitors on home ground for the first time since World War II. But the legendary Cambiaso has never played on a team against England before: “Taking on Argentina is a huge challenge,” said England’s Luke Tomlinson. And the challenge has become greater with news that Tomlinson has been forced to hand his captainancy over to Mark Tomlinson, after suffering a fractured pelvis last week.

Mark Tomlinson will be joined by James Harper, James Beim and Malcolm Borwick with Chris Hyde as reserve.

The England selectors from the Hurlingham Polo Association have made just one change from the team narrowly beaten in last summer’s Cartier Gold Cup.

After the test match the England Ladies’ team, captained by one of the world’s highest-handicapped female player, Nina Vestey (3), will take on the Rest of the World Ladies in a five chukka showdown.

Gates open at 11.30am – England vs Argentina at 3pm and Ladies’ International 5.30pm. Car pass, including occupants, £15; stand seats £20 per person. Lunch package £120 per person; fieldside picnic gazebo £250-£300 including car pass and space for up to 12 spectators. After-match party ‘Boujis at the Beaufort’ 7.30pm. For details or to book tickets visit www.beaufortpoloclub.co.uk or tel: 01666 880510.

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