An Eton v Harrow weekend was held in Dubai once again this spring, only this year the outcomes of the two sporting contests were reversed. At the Prince's Cup during British Polo Day, the Harrow team captained on this occasion by HRH Prince Rashid (The Park 1992-3), who played in every match on the programme, could not repeat its victory of the previous year. Nevertheless, the team was cheered on by an enthusiastic band of Old Harrovian supporters, many of whom had flown into the city that morning to take part in the weekend festivities as well as to swell the ranks of local OHs.

The following day the OHs again faced the OEs, this time on the soccer field and a mid-morning game was played in warm sunshine at Raffles International School within view of the magnificant sail-shaped Burj al Arab Hotel. The quality of the opposition, most of whom were acclimatised to playing in UAE conditions, the heat, the unusual surface and the wear and tear inevitably brought on by late-night festivities only a few hours earlier all contributed to a very tough match. But the outcome was memorable; leading 1-0 (after a cool finish from Sandip Patel) then falling behind 1-2, the scratch team of OH's drew level with a 25 yard half volley from Ajun Chopra just before the final whistle. To decide matters, a nailbiting penalty shootout was then conducted in which Harry Woolley calmly slotted home the winner to settle the outcome.

*OH Team: James Harper, Jamie Wightman, Arjun Chopra, James Mubadala, Jade Mamarbarchi, Archie Horne, Alasdair Pritchard, Zulf Hyatt-Khan (c), Harry Woolley, Sandip Patel, Matt Bailey, Edward Attwood.*