Tower Hamlets Canoe Club

For those who don't know, Mr Mattias Stromberg (polo rep, assisstant bailiff, and Swedish heartthrob) is leaving the club and the UK soon.

His last night will be Tues 11 so we are going to hold a massive game of polo... and mess him up good.

Just put your name down on the board on the night and we'll sort out teams then.

David
 

 

 

 

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Polo Rep

I'd be up for a game of polo, perhaps someone could explain the rules?

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O London, see
Swelling with naval pride, the pride of thee!
Wide, deep, unsullied Thames, meandering glides,
and bears thy wealth on mild majestic tides.

Rules for this game are simple -

If you have the ball push Stromberg in.

If you dont have the ball push Stromberg in.

One extra new rule we have introduced for this special game is Pushing Stromberg in is allowed

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I once read that alcohol is very bad for your health, so I gave it up.

Reading that is.

I don't get it, How many points do i get for pushing Stromberg in if he has the ball?

For future reference, if anyone does really want to know the rules: http://www.canoepolo.org.uk/rules

However, for the purpose of this game, I think Larry has summed up all you need to know.

(btw, it is legal to push someone in when they have the ball)

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Polo Rep

Lots of things are happening tomorrow night - 2 star tests, pool visits etc - so if you aren't taking part in these, it would be great to see lots of people out on the basin having a crack at polo.

It doesn't matter if you don't have a roll, or even much control, as I will be devising a highly intricate system to flag up those who are not fair game for a pushing-in. Generally, the games I've played in have been pretty tame and, anyway, tomorrow all the aggro will be directed at Mr Stromberg. 

I guess we'll start at around 19:30 so we can be off the water and in the pub in good time for food orders.

Finally, if you've got a helmet, please bring it .

See you on the water.  

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Polo Rep

A cracking game of polo was had.

 

There was a good turn out, with at least 16-17 players on the pitch at some points.

 

Despite the best efforts of Larry and I to ensure that the primary concern on the night was to get Stromberg submersed, it seems that people at our club are a little to competitive for that kind of behaviour, and once we started playing people concentrated on the matter in hand.

 

I took it upon myself to chase Matt around the pitch,but his superior high bracing antics kept him afloat. Perhaps due to my, some might say, over-zealous chasing of Matt, his team mate Paul Kettle demonstrated how to capsize a boater perfectly using me as his demo. Cheers.

 

After that there was a bit more carnage, which was nice.

 

We were pleased to see a few of the newer paddlers out having a game, and for me, MAN OF THE MATCH goes to Russell who slotted home two goals with considerable aplomb.

 

I have no idea what the final score was. In terms of pushing in scores we were even…

 

Our team: Me (twice), Julian

There team: Stromberg (twice) and Martin K

 

To the newer paddlers of the club I would say that Polo is a great way of honing your paddling skills as you will use all the strokes that you have learned over the weeks and you will start to use them without thinking about it, and that’s the best way.

 

See you back on the pitch soon.

 

Danger/Safe Dave

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Polo Rep

Dave, thanks for organising, thoroughly enjoyable game!

I think the score was about 7 all in the end.

Thanks for pushing me in too, perfectly legally too, unlike what happened to Matt!

The proper sized playing area gave space for incisive sprints into clear areas, and the hanging goals meant that poor marking was punished and the scoreboard kept ticking over, an electronic (red led) scoreboard might be nice, and could even be controlled by someone on the water with a remote control.

I liked the idea of people who didn't want to be pushed in wearing face guards on the helmets or some other distinguishing mark as that enables everyone to join in and enjoy. A referee might be a good idea, or even one from each side on the water with whistles, to try to cut out some of the illegal tackles. We don't need to comply to all the rules yet, but we should be working towards that goal.

Thanks again!

 

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O London, see
Swelling with naval pride, the pride of thee!
Wide, deep, unsullied Thames, meandering glides,
and bears thy wealth on mild majestic tides.

I agree, the faceguard idea was spot on!

We definitely need to play more often!

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Equipment Officer
"Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing..."