Dutch delight at historic event

Hastings Seagull captain Duncan Izzard and Dordrecht skipper Arend Haksteen with the Observer Plate

Part of the Hastings Week celebrations, the tournament was first played in 1947 when a team from our Dutch twin town Dordrecht played against Hastings and several other Sussex clubs for the magnificent Observer Trophy.

So for the 67th time Dordrecht came to compete against the best teams in Sussex and the Dutch outfit won the tournament for the first time in seven years.

The only team Dordrecht didn’t beat was Hastings, who held them to a 1-1 draw in the first match of the evening. Alexis Phillipidis gave Hastings a second half lead only for Dordrecht to equalise.

Dordrecht then pipped Crawley 5-4 before the ‘mini’ polo players aged 6-11 had the chance to show their skills.

Hastings lost 4-2 to Haywards Heath despite two spectacular goals from the impressive Phillipidis. Crawley lost 3-0 to Brighton and 6-2 to Haywards Heath before Dordrecht thrashed Brighton 7-1.

Hastings edged out Crawley 5-4 thanks to a Duncan Izzard hat-trick, and one apiece from Will Greenhouse and George Wilkins.

After Dordrecht saw off Haywards Heath 4-1, Hastings contested a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Brighton to finish in third place.

The Hastings squad was made up of captain Izzard, vice-captain Dave Lee, Greenhouse, Tim Pearce, Ben Peppiatt, Wilkins, Phillipidis, Richie Moon, Michael Cloke, Ben Chegwin, Adam Pearson and Juan Piniares.