UAE and Scone were victorious on the opening day of the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup. Hosted by Cowdray Park Polo Club since 1956, it is one of the highlights of the British season as well as one of the three Grand Slams of Polo alongside the Argentine Open and the US Open. The tournament sees fourteen teams up to 22 goals, compete for the coveted golden trophy.
In the first match, UAE dominated King Power thoroghout the first four chukkas of play; King Power were five goals behind, but Top Srivaddhanaprabha’s team managed to make a comeback in the fifth chukka, when they closed the gap to just one goal (7-8). However, a determined UAE, who remained scoreless during two chukkas, produced a couple of goals in the sixth, to claim the 10-8 win.
The follow-up was a similar situation. Scone had got off to a better start over Monterosso. By the end of the fourth chukka, David Paradice and Co. had reached a commanding 11-7 lead over Alessandro Bazzoni’s team. But drama would come in two very tight and hard fought last chukkas, that saw consecutive ties (11-11 and 13-13), which sent the contest to extra chukka. It was Poroto Cambiaso who produced his ninth goal within the game, to secure Scone the 14-13 victory.
BRITISH OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE COWDRAY GOLD CUP – TUESDAY JUNE 21
UAE 10-8 KING POWER
UAE: HH Sheikha Maitha 0 (1 goal), Lukin Monteverde 6 (2 goles), Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 9 (3), Tomás Beresford 7 (4). Total: 22
King Power: Top Srivaddhanaprabha 1 (2 goals), James Harper 7 (1), Nicolás Pieres 9 (5), Mackenzie Weisz 5. Total: 22
Socre UAE: 3-1, 5-2, 6-2, 8-3, 8-7, 10-8.
Umpires: Jason Dixon & Julian Appleby.
Third man: Ben Turner.
SCONE 14-13 MONTEROSSO (extra chukka)
Scone: David Paradice 0, Rosendo Torreguitar 4 (2 goals), Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (3), Poroto Cambiaso 8 (9). Total: 22.
Monterosso: Alessandro Bazzoni 1, Ignacio Toccalino 8 (6 goals), Pablo MacDonough 9 (6), Matías Gonzalez 4 (1). Total: 22.
Score Scone: 3-1, 4-2, 7-4, 10-7, 11-11, 13-13, 14-13.
Umpires: Peter Wright & Tim Bown.
Third mane: Howard Smith.
The British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup will resume on Wednesday June 22, with double action:
12pm: Park Place Vaara vs. Vikings.
3pm: Dubai vs. Murus Sanctus.
La final del British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup is set to be played on Sunday July 17.
British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup – Fixture & Teams