The league stage of the old Cup for the British Open finished on Wednesday July 14, at Cowdray Park Polo Club, in Midhurst, West Sussx. The championship is recognised as one of the three Grand Slams of Polo, alongside the Argentine Open and the US Open. This year’s tournament sees thirteen teams, up to 22 goals, compete.
Therefore, King Power, Park Place, UAE, Scone, Monterosso, Thai Polo, Murus Sanctus and Great Oaks Les Lions qualify to quarter finals, due next weekend – Saturday July 17 and Sunday July 18.
A golden goal by Tomás Panelo secured UAE a 10-9 win and the ticket to quarter finals, following an extraordinary performance that included an impressive comeback after trailing in the first three chukkas. Monterosso had Juan Martín Zubía filling in for the injured Pelón Stirling. Up next, Great Oaks Les Lions had no trouble at all to defeat BP Polo (with Alfredo Bigatti subbing in for Juan Martín Nero), by a heavy 18-4.
Meanwhile, the matchups for the quarter finals have been set, day and time yet TBA:
Murus Sanctus vs Great Oaks Les Lions
King Power vs Thai Polo
UAE vs Park Place
Scone vs Monterosso
The Gold Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 25.
GOLD CUP FOR THE BRITISH OPEN – SUMMARY WEDNESDAY JULY 14
UAE 10-9 MONTEROSSO (EXTRA CHUKKA)
UAE: HH Sheikha Maitha 0, Tomás Panelo 6 (2 goals), Pablo Pieres 9 (5), Tomás Beresford 7 (3). Total: 22.
Monterosso: Alessandro Bazzoni 1 (1 goal), Mackenzie Weisz 4, Cubi Toccalino 8 (4), Juan Martín Zubía 8 (4)*. Total: 22. (*Subbed in for Pelón Stirling).
Score UAE: 0-2, 0-5, 2-7, 5-7, 7-8, 9-9, 10-9.
Umpires: Tim Brown & Peter Wright.
Third Man: Jason Dixon.
BPP UK: Alberta Juniper, ridden by Tomás Panelo.
GREAT OAKS LES LIONS 18-4 BP POLO
Great Oaks Les Lions: Guillermo Terrera 7, Dillon Bacon 2, Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 9, Cruz Heguy 4. Total: 22.
BP Polo: James Beh 1, Joevy Beh 3, Alejandro Muzzio 8, Alfredo Bigatti 8 * . Total: 20. (*Subbed in for Juan Martín Nero).
Score Great Oaks Les Lions (0-2): 2-1, 6-1, 9-2, 13-3, 15-4, 18-4.
Umpires: Peter Wright & Julian Appleby.
Third Man: Jason Dixon.
BPP UK: Lovelocks Drogba, ridden by Bartolomé Castagnola Jr.