The Barbados Polo Club’s 2015 season has opened in fine style. Huge crowds have gathered to watch action-packed games at the Holders Polo Field, while innovative off-field activities and promotions have helped launch the Club’s campaign to broaden the appeal of the game.

Last Sunday (February 1), one local and two international tour matches were played at the St James ground, where tourists joined local spectators to enjoy the action, while sipping Pimms at the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Bar, and enjoying special dishes prepared by Scott Ames of Scott’s Catering.

His views were echoed by the co-sponsors of the Digicel/ICBL Villages Tour. Commercial Operations Director of Digicel, Tanya Menzies, said: “Our experience was certainly a pleasing one. The Polo Club were very professional, providing our brand with great visibility and excellent hospitality and for that I’d like to thank them. What is even more exciting for us is that the Digicel-sponsored Barbados team came out victorious.”

On Tuesday (February 3), the second game in The Battle of the Sexes at Holders levelled the series, with the Virgin Atlantic Ladies victorious 4-2. Linda Williams and Joshua Archer (for Diamonds International Men) each scored once in the first chukka, while Adam Deane added a second goal for the men in the second. A determined performance from the Ladies saw them surge ahead, however, with two goals from Hazel Jackson and one from Sara Wiseman

Sunday’s opening match of the Tour had seen the Ladies defeated 5-3. Stephen Williams scored a hat-trick, with two goals in the second chukka and one in the third, while Richard Gooding scored in the first and third. Tiva Gross, Hazel Jackson and Wiseman were the scorers for the Ladies.

After the third game in the Battle of the Sexes at Apes Hill on Thursday, the final will be back at Holders, where the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Bar will again be serving a signature drink, the day’s specialty food station will be run by Cin Cin by the Sea and there will also be a specialty cocktail bar.

There’s also a chance for a keen polo enthusiast to win a dinner for two at Cin Cin by the Sea. Simply go to the Barbados Polo Club’s Facebook page and share an image of whichever team in the Battle of the Sexes you are rooting for.

Barbados Polo Club future matches:

• February 1st, 3rd, 5th & 8th: Battle of the Sexes – matches played at Holders, except for Thursday 5th (Apes Hill)

March Chukkas:

• March 1st – 8th: Cheshire Tour
• March 12th – 22nd: Barbados Open