IT was family against family at Polo Wicklow in a special Christmas tournament held at the winter season arena on Sunday where the Galloping Gatelys swept the Rebel Pebbles to the sidelines in a final score of six goals to four at the end of four chukkas.

Patron Michael Gately, out on an injury incurred the day before the match, was replaced by playmaker veteran Michael Herbst with Lachlan, Siuin and Oran Gately and it was game on against senior polo player Mark Stone and his sons Max and Hugo.

There was evidence that the well-seasoned Pebbles may have thrown the game in favour of the newbies, who first picked up their polo sticks last March.

“The Pebbles’ father, Mark Stone, took it very easy on the Gatelys so the score doesn’t reflect comparative ability and we had a lot of fun,” said Michael Gately when he spoke to The Irish Field just after the match. “The age difference I am told was something in the difference of 70 years on that field, can you imagine it? How many sports can you have a competitive game where there is such an age difference and everybody having a ball?”

The afternoon match at Polo Wicklow was preceded by a morning of polo lessons for young new and emerging players with some who have progressed taking part in the family against family match.

Michael Gately added: “I have a lot of children so it is one of the few sports I can really play and compete with them. We are enjoying it as a family and as you can see it’s a lovely winter’s day here.”