Gold Cup – 23/06/09

Queen’s Cup winners, Apes Hill, lose first Gold Cup Match


By Antje Derks



The first upset of this year’s Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup at Cowdray came yesterday as Apes Hill lost to Enigma 11 – 9. This year’s Queen’s Cup winners failed to recapture their winning form in a match peppered with whistles and messy play.


By the end of the second chukka both teams were even, with two goals each. The lead continued to see-saw between them for the next chukka, with most goals coming from penalties. By half-time the scores were tied 5 – 5.


Apes Hill edged into the lead by the end of the fourth chukka, but some excellent team play between Matias MacDonough and Malcolm Borwick saw Enigma even things up again. However, immediately after Apes Hill won and converted a 30 yard penalty, taking them back into the lead. Luke Tomlinson then sent an great pass up the field to Charlie Hanbury, who scored at a full gallop. Apes Hill managed to open up a two goal lead, and my guess is they thought they had done enough.


Apes Hill gave away a 60 yard penalty, which Borwick converted. Beim and MacDonough combined beautifully to tie things up again, and Beim scored for Enigma again right on the bell, taking them 10-9 in front.


A silly mistake at the start of the sixth chukka saw Enigma convert a 30 yard penalty, taking them two goals ahead.  Apes Hill had plenty of opportunities to score, but just couldn’t find the posts. It was a very different team that played against Enigma. Aside from the odd flash of brilliance, it looked like Apes Hill have alot of work to do to get back to winning form.


In a previous match, Broncos defeated Salkeld 12 – 10. The margin could have been more, but Broncos gave away a few technicals. Broncos patron, George Milford Haven was replaced by John Kent at the start of the third chukka for no obvious reason other than a potentially pulled riding muscle.