WIP gallop away with Willie deLisser Cup

“Polo is a family sport for us … (and) we came out victorious” said an overwhelmed Freddie Farquharson of West Indies Petroleum (WIP) team, following their victory in the 2024 Willie deLisser (Polo) Cup final on Saturday.

Young Farquharson, who was crowned the most valuable player (MVP) led his team with four goals, defeating Chukka 7-5 in a nail-biting finish at the St Ann Polo Club in Drax Hall, St. Ann.

Scores of spectators were treated to some exciting polo in an evenly matched contest.

The first chukka was left goalless due to both teams’ tough defence.

Argentinian Felipe Segret of Chukka, who finished with five goals, opened the scoring with a 40-yard field goal, giving his team an early advantage in the second chukka. WIP’s Mark Wates, however, quickly levelled the score.

Segret then came roaring with back-to-back goals. Chukka’s Zach Byles had a scare when he fell from his saddle and was stepped on by his pony and suffered some bruises, but the second chukka ended 3-1 in favour of his team.

WIP’s Wates responded with an early goal in the third chukka, and this was followed by Farquharson, who chipped in with a 40-yard field goal. WIP’s Sheryl Sick, the only female in the game, and James Robertson’s tough defence kept Chukka scoreless. The third chukka ended with the teams locked at 3-3.

Farquharson quickly applied pressure and scored a 40-yard field goal penalty in the fourth. Not done, he added to his tally, giving his team a 5-3 lead.

That lead was quickly erased as Segret kept his team’s hopes alive with two 40-yard penalties to end the fourth chukka with the score tied 5-5.

Wates added another goal to the score sheet, increasing the lead to 6-5. Desperate for a win, Chukka’s John Byles rode his pony with full speed towards goal, but Robertson quickly snatched the ball with a back swing.

In the final 30 seconds, Zach Byles failed to capitalise on a golden opportunity when he hit the ball out of bounds. Farquharson then scored a penalty to put his team in control as the final bell rang to end the game 7-5 in the fifth chukka.

Winning captain Mark Wates said the best team emerged winners in the end.

“It was a fantastic win. This is the highest handicapped tournament in Jamaica. To win this with Freddie, who is like a son to me; James, who is like a brother; and Sheryl, who is like a sister, it was a great family team. We came out victorious, and it is just a wonderful feeling,” he said.

“Our team effort was great. It takes four people to win a polo game. I think as a team, we started out slowly, but as the game went on, we got into our rhythm. We kept our heads down and focused and got stronger as a team as the game went on,” he added.

“The game was very fast and the team we played was a very experienced one,” John Byles said. Although we went up in the beginning, they were able to bring it back and clipped us at the end of the game.”

“It is always going to be a heartbreak when you think you have gotten that opportunity in the final seconds of the game,” he added.

The deLisser Cup was presented to the winners by Pamichelle deLisser, granddaughter of Willie deLisser. The best-playing pony award went to Magic, owned by Charlie Chambers