Coppid Owls Stand Alone at the Top to Win Holden White Cup Title
The final of the 2021 Holden White Cup was held Sunday, August 1 at Cowdray Park Polo Club between undefeated Coppid Owls and Strategic Help for Heroes. Storming through the tournament, Coppid Owls completed their impressive run by never trailing in the final, capturing the 6-3 victory to raise the Holden White Cup.
Although Coppid Owls were held without a field goal in the opening half, the steady presence of Mikey Henderson and Tamara Fox from the penalty line where they combined to shoot a perfect 4 for 4 led their team’s attack. Assisting on both of Coppid Owl’s field goals, Henderson was a standout player in the match, effectively guiding play from the #4 position. Meanwhile, Strategic Help for Heroes had their opportunities throughout the match, outshooting Coppid Owls 12-5 but inaccurate 25% shooting kept them from challenging the only undefeated team in the tournament. Unable to mount a comeback in the second half, Strategic Help for Heroes fell 6-3 to Coppid Owls in the entertaining final.
Beginning the match in foul trouble, Strategic Help for Heroes conceded two penalty attempts to Coppid Owls and Henderson converted both opportunities, finding the goal on the Penalty 3 and 4’s to give his team the early 2-0 lead. Struggling to maintain consistent possession without hearing the umpire’s whistle, Strategic Help for Heroes were kept off the scoreboard until a field goal from Peter O’Rorke opened the scoring in the second chukka. With Coppid Owls’ only scoring coming from the penalty line, they held a narrow one goal lead at halftime as Strategic Help for Heroes inched closer on a goal from Matt Evetts to leave the difference at 3-2.
Wasting little time in the second half, Henderson won the opening throw-in and found Fox with a pass to goal, extending their lead to two. Determined to pull even, Strategic Help for Heroes dominated possession throughout the third chukka, relentlessly attacking goal to produce six shots, yet were only able to produce one goal as Coppid Owls maintained their slim advantage entering the final chukka. Possession switched back and forth in the tense moments of the match until a foul committed by Strategic Help for Heroes resulted in Henderson’s third penalty goal, ultimately sealing the hard-fought 6-3 victory for Coppid Owls.
The other finals of the day featured a 6-4 victory for DJ Cats over Cowdray Vikings in the Ruins Cup, while Bad Boys Polo Team defeated Sea Breeze 6.5-5 to raise the Ambersham Cup.