Johnny Good (No.3) was much too good for the Piaget II players, accounting for five of his team's goals. (Inset) The Archer family from England enjoying their first polo match in Barbados. From left are Teresa, mother, and daughters Beverley and Jacqueline. (Pictures by Clifton Henry.)

by Clifton Henry

The 2007 Diamonds International/Piaget 16- goal International Polo Challenge rode off in fine style before a massive crowd at the Holders Polo Grounds in St James on Sunday.

In the first match of the afternoon, Team Signature defeated Piaget 1 by 10 goals to 8 1/2. For Signature, Gaston Moore was in ripping form, scoring seven of his team's goals, while Tom Morley scored 5 of Piaget's 8 1/2 goals.

In the afternoon's feature game, Diamonds White handed the Piaget II team an 11 to 8 whipping with Johnny Good scoring 5, Chris Hyde 4 and Simon Holley 3 goals for the White Diamonds.

For Piaget II, Malcolm Borick led the scoring with 6 goals, while Richard Gooding and Teddy Williams accounted for 1 goal each. At the end of chukka No. 3, The Diamonds led Piaget II by a margin of 10 goals to 4 and looked likely to extend their lead even further in the final chukka.

However, the Piaget II team had other ideas as they went into overdrive and bombarded the Diamonds' defence to score 4 goals in the final chukka. Diamonds' lone goal came from Simon Holley.

Marketing manager of Diamonds International Simone Ward said she, along with her management team, were extremely delighted to see the large crowd that had turned out to watch the polo matches in recent times.

She added that Diamonds International and Piaget were proud to be part of this growth in popularity among spectators for polo.

The next game of the series between Diamonds Black and the Piaget II team is scheduled to take place this afternoon at the Lion Castle Polo Estate in St Thomas at 4:30 p.m. It will be preceded by a local match at 3:30 p.m.