The semifinals of the Gold Cup for the British Open took place on Wednesday, at Cowdray Park Polo Club. After two hard fought games, which were decided in the last chukka, Next Generation and Les Lions/Great Oaks, managed to advance to the final.
Next Generation and Park Place Vaara met up in the first match. Following a first half dominated by Jean-François Decaux’s foursome – they were leading 8-5 by halftime, Park Place Vaara bounced back and outscored Next Generation 11-10 with one chukka remaining. But Next Generation made and impressive comeback in the last period, thanks to Diego Cavanagh’s crucial contribution (he replaced the injured Pelon Stirling), and sealed the deal with a 13-11 victory.
Up next, Les Lions/Great Oaks and Park Place played a thrilling contest, that saw Park Place holding a narrow lead during the first half. A close gap that remained for the next following chukkas, until Les Lions/Great Oaks took off in the last period. Despite Andrey Borodin’s lineup had a chance to win the game, they couldn’t be able to do so, and a determined Jeta Castagnola came up to produce the goal that secured Les Lions/Great Oaks the second ticket to the championship match.
The most expected contest is what comes next – the opportunity to see the clash of the Cambiasos and the Castagnolas for the second time in this tournament. But in a very different situation- no less than in the final of one of the most important tournaments of the world.
NEXT GENERATION 13-11 PARK PLACE VAARA
NEXT GENERATION: Jean-François Decaux 0, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Diego Cavanagh 8, Adolfo Cambiaso 10. Total: 23.
PARK PLACE VAARA: Zac Beim 1, Will Harper 3, Juan Britos 8, Hilario Ulloa 10. Total: 22.
Score Next Generation: 3-0, 6-3, 8-5, 10-9, 10-11, 13-11.
LES LIONS/GREAT OAKS 10-9 PARK PLACE
LES LIONS/GREAT OAKS: Dillon Bacon 2, Camilo Castagnola 7, Bartolito Castagnola 7, Santiago Laborde 6. Total: 22.
PARK PLACE: Andrey Borodin 0, Kian Hall 3, Gonzalo Pieres 9, Facundo Pieres 10. Total: 22.
Score Les Lions/Great Oaks: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 7-7, 8-8, 10-9.
The final of the Gold Cup for the British Open is due next Sunday, at 3pm, when Next Generation and Les Lions /Great Oaks will battle for the coveted golden trophy.
BRITISH OPEN GOLD CUP: Fixture & Teams
PHOTO CREDIT: HELEN CRUDEN.