SOUTHAMPTON claimed the bragging rights over Portsmouth in a rare meeting at the elite sport of polo.

A goal in the dying seconds clinched a 6-5 victory for Southampton at the neutral venue of Great Posbrook Farm near Titchfield, writes Kieran Fox.

Around 300 paying spectators enjoyed a balmy summer's evening of polo and complimentary BBQ, raising more than £3,000 for the Andrew Seavill Benefit Fund and towards the Southampton school King Edward VI's summer South Africa rugby tour.

"It was a great day even though I didn't get a sausage," said Mr Barfoot who scored at hat-trick for Portsmouth. "I think the event really caught people's imagination. We had two good teams with some professional players on show but I would say about 80 per cent of the people there had not been to a polo match before."

Pupils from King Edwards helped to ensure the event passed off smoothly and funds raised will divided between the ASBF and the school rugby tour.

And Mr Barfoot says he hopes to repeat the fixture. "I'd like to do it again next year, perhaps for another charity," he said.