The Malta Polo Club, in collaboration with Kunsill Malti ghall Isport and Darmanin Equestrian Enterprises is his year again holding the Salvo Darmanin international tournament, which started yesterday, at Marsa. Supported by the Malta Tourism Authority and various sponsors, this year’s tournament will follow a slightly different format to last year.

Due to the extremely bad winter which prevented polo being played for over two months, the shortened season has been quite tough, with players and ponies being injured. This however did not prevent the Maltese team emerging victors over the Spanish in last month’s exciting international match.

In last year’s tournament the Malta Polo Club was able to field three teams and mount a team from Italy. This year, due to the above mentioned injuries, mixed chukkas between two Maltese teams and a team representing France took part yesterday, mounted on Maltese horses.

Tomorrow’s final will be an International between the French and a selected Maltese team. The match starts at 5pm.

The Malta Polo Club is welcoming the French team, hoping for a little more luck with the weather than this time last year. The French had travelled to Malta for an international match, but had to return home disappointed when a severe storm on the Friday rendered the ground unplayable.

But better conditions this time give players the chance to display their skills on the fast and difficult Malta Polo Club ground.

The Malta team consists of 1. Chris Delia Handicap 0, 2. Patrick Filletti 1, 3. Desmond Mizzi (capt) 2 and back Ivan Camilleri 0.

The French team is made up of:

1. David Boulier Handicap 0, 2. Luc Fleurquin 1, 3,. Marco Shagouri (Capt) 2, Back Aurilien Crochon 0

Entrance to watch the tournament is free, and access to the Malta Polo Club pavilion is from the Marsa Sports Club road, opposite the temporary entrance.

Tumas Group, OK Ltd, Lladro, Vahlmor Borg, Kia Motors, Jolly Ltd, Sullivan Maritime, Grimaldo Ferries and DaybyDay magazine are the sponsors of the event.