The only professional player in Malta, Salvo had won the prestigious Cawnpore Cup on many occasions during his career both as team member and captain. His son Mark had also won the cup as a team member, but this year he captained a team to victory for the first time.
The Warriors team, captained by Malta Polo Club president Julian Mamo were the favourites on the day, but were shell shocked in the first chukka when Mark’s Wild Cats team exploded onto the field with three goals in as many minutes. But towards the end of the chukka Karl Galea, playing in the Warriors number 4 shirt, took matters into his own hands and scored two goals, the second of which went through the posts 30 seconds before the bell.
The second chukka saw the Warriors rally with a third goal by Karl Galea, who had the pace to match the fast moving Wild Cats, but he was unable to make any further breakthrough.
The third chukka became a game of cat and mouse, with Karl Galea and Matthew Borg trading goals, but Mark Darmanin, taking a leaf out of his father’s book going on ‘shark patrol’ – blocking any attack by the Warriors and passing the ball forwards to his team members. Shortly before the end of the chukka he suddenly changed tactics, blocking an attack and then counter attacking on his own against play and scoring his third goal of the match.
The final chukka was incredibly exciting with neither team giving quarter, the Warriors came out on their fastest horses and the spectators waited to see if Julian Mamo and Karl Galea would use their additional speed to break out from the tight marking of the Wild Cats. Yet every Warriors attack was blunted as Mark Darmanin refused to give ground, and his team jumped on every pass that came out. Both teams had opportunities to score, but balls went wide on several occasions due to the strong pressure provided by opposing players.
At the final bell, a great cheer rang out from the club house, celebrating a superb game that had been won by the Wild Cats 5 ½ to Warriors 4. Yet the story does not end there, Mark Darmanin still had a final play for the day, a moment that would have made his father proud. Instead of stepping up to receive the cup from Honorary President Marquis Tony Buttigieg De Piro, he asked team mate Ivan Camilleri to accept the trophy on his behalf. Ivan, had played for the Cawnpore Cup on 17 occasions, yet had never been on the winning side until this occasion, he too plays a part in the Darmanin legacy. Salvo had introduced him to the game as a young man, helping him in the first couple of years.