The Gold Cup for the British Open saw wins by Great Oaks Les Lions and UAE, in the ressumption of the tournament on Wednesday July 7, following the rain delay. The Gold Cup for the British Open, hosted by Cowdray Park Polo Club, in Midhurst, West Sussex, is one of the three Grand Slams of Polo alongside the Argentine Open and the US Open, and sees thirteen teams up to 22 goals, compete.
The day’s opener was the clash of the Castagnola brothers. Great Oaks Les Lions (Barto Jr.) defeated Talandracas (Camilo) 11-8. Dillon Bacon & Co. had a powerful start and dominated Talandracas during the first half. However, and despite Talandracas’ hard fought efforts to close the gap in the three following chukkas, the damage was already done – Great Oaks Les Lions’ commanding 5-0 lead in the first chukka was enough to seize the reins and take a 10-8 win.
Up next, UAE, the recent winners of the Queen’s Cup, was back to victory with a neat 16-12 win over BP Polo. It is worth noting the extraordinary performance by Polito Pieres, UAE’s flagship man, who scored no less than 11 goals.
The Gold Cup for the British Open will continue on Thursday July 8, with two games:
12pm: Thai Polo vs. Emlor (Ambersham 3)
3,30pm: Park Place vs. King Power (Away)
The final of the Gold Cup is set for Sunday July 25.
GOLD CUP FOR THE BRITISH OPEN – SUMMARY WEDNESDAY JULY 7
GREAT OAKS LES LIONS 10-8 TALANDRACAS
Great Oaks Les Lions: Guillermo Terrera 7 (1 goal), Dillon Bacon 2 (2), Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 9 (3), Cruz Heguy 4 (4). Total: 22.
Talandracas: Edouard Carmignac 0, Camilo Castagnola 8 (6 goles) Diego Cavanagh 8, Marcos Araya 6 (1). Total: 22.
Score Great Oaks Les Lions: 5-0, 6-2, 8-3, 9-6, 10-7, 10-8.
Umpires: Tim Brown & Peter Wright.
Third Man: Julian Appleby.
BPP UK: Vasca Mulera, ridden by Cruz Heguy
UAE 16-12 BP POLO
UAE: HH Sheikha Maitha 0, Tomás Panelo 6 (2 goals), Pablo Pieres 9 (11) , Tomás Beresford 7 (3). Total: 22.
BP Polo: James Beh 1 (1 goal). Joevy Beh 3 (1), Alejandro Muzzio 8 (4), Nicolás Pieres 9 * (6). Total: 21.
*subs in for the injured Juan Martín Nero.
Score UAE: 2-3, 5-4, 9-6, 12-7, 14-10, 16-12.
Umpires: Tim Brown & Peter Wright.
Third Man: Julian Appleby.
BPP UK: El Overo Z7 Sagitaria, ridden by Polito Pieres.
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