Queens Cup – 25/05/09

Salkeld defeats Enigma in a game that lacked passion


By Antje Derks


What a contrast this afternoon’s (Monday) game between Salkeld and Enigma was to the other Harcourt Queen’s Cup matches I have watched over recent days. I would liken it to taking a mild sedative, and that wasn’t just my own opinion. Barring the cheering from the Beim/Borwick supporters seated further along my row in the grandstand that woke me up on several occasions, the crowd was mute and probably as bored as I was. The only thing that made it vaguely interesting was the closeness of the match, with either the teams being level, or one or other taking the lead.


What a shame, then, that neither team showed any real passion or spark until the sixth chukka, when Marcos Di Paola and Jose Donoso set fire to the Salkeld side and scorched up and down the field to open up a two goal lead that Enigma had no chance of closing because time wasn’t on their side. In the end, the match was won by Salkeld 10 goals to Enigma’s 8.


The other match of the afternoon between Les Lions I and Broncos went to extra time, with Les Lions I winning by a goal, 15 – 14. It looked like Broncos had it all sewn up in the fourth chukka, with a 12 – 7 lead over Les Lions I, but they came from behind and stole the match from right under the Broncos noses.


The incident involving Alejandro Agote, who was stood down for allegedly spitting at Chris Mackenzie, in the third chukka in the match between Talandracas and Les Lions II on Saturday has now been referred to the Guards disciplinary committee. They will be viewing the processed video footage in due course.