Club's final 18-goal tournament of the season does not disappoint

Adrian Kirby's Cortium team dominated the 2017 final of the Indian Empire Shield. They defeated James McCarthy's Emlor 12-6 in five tough chukkas, some of which was played in unseasonal, cold drizzle at Coworth Park. Cortium started slowly, but by the end of the third were very much in command, leading Emlor 8-4. By then the tension had started to show in the Emlor ranks, with Alejandro Muzzio being yellow flagged and sent to the sin bin for two minutes in the third.

Unfortunately for Emlor, the partnership of Nico Pieres and Jack Hyde proved unbeatable and Hyde was later rewarded with The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player prize. Meanwhile, Pieres was rewarded with The Polo Times Best Playing Pony prize for Euro Decima. He had played this 11-year-old Ellerstina mare in the fourth chukka. Coworth Park General Manager Zoe Jenkins also presented Dorchester Collection gifts to all of the players.

This 18-goal tournament always attracts some tough competition and this year's Indian Empire was no exception. With 14 teams playing over three weeks, players and spectators were not disappointed and Saturday's final was the perfect finale, offering plenty of fast-paced, high-goal sport.

Earlier in the day Coworth Park had been the venue for the Indian Empire Sub Final. This was a win for the Pailloncy brothers HB Polo (rec 1/2 goal). They defeated Lord Rothermere's Ferne Park 91/2 - 6.

Cortium: Jack Hyde (3); Nicolas Pieres (8); Malcolm Borwick (6); Adrian Kirby (1). Emlor: James McCarthy (1); Pedro Harrison (4); Alejandro Muzzio (7); Nacho Gonzalez (6).

HB Polo: Ludovic Pailloncy (1); Max Charlton (7); Michel del Carril (6); Sebastien Pailloncy (3). Ferne Park: Jonathan Rothermere (0); Dirk Gould (5); Joaquin Pittaluga (7); Ignacio Negri (6).