The Marine Challenge Cup (MCC) has returned to London with a bang after two fallow pandemic-hit years.
A record 28 teams did battle in the five-a-side football competition featuring protection and indemnity clubs, underwriters, brokers, law firms and even Malaysian tanker owner AET.
At the end of a day of friendly competition, OneGlobal Broking emerged the victor, following a spirited final match with the Shipowners’ Club.
OneGlobal was the defending champion, having triumphed in 2019, the last event before Covid put paid to the annual get-together sponsored by shipping lawyers from the Americas.
The winner of the plate trophy for losing group-stage teams was Britannia P&I, with Steamship Mutual’s team coming in as the runner-up.
This year’s individual most valuable player trophy was awarded to Connor Hammond of Gallagher.
Following completion of the matches, participants and guests enjoyed a barbecue, a bar and musical entertainment on a beautiful London summer evening.
The sponsors for this year’s tournament were Royston Rayzor; Palmer Biezup & Henderson; Freehill Hogan & Mahar; Keesal, Young & Logan; Chaffe McCall; and De Castro & Robles.
The sponsors expressed great appreciation for the support the event received following its two-year hiatus.
They are already making plans for next year, they said.
Much-loved event
The MCC has been a fixture in shipping’s sporting calendar for more than 20 years on the playing fields of Dulwich, south London.
Over the years, shipping professionals have come face to face with some top players — and TradeWinds staff.
Former England internationals Shaun Wright-Phillips and Robert Lee have been spotted there, and in 2018 the Chaffe McCall team was graced by former Mexico under-20s women’s captain Natalie Lagunas.
