The ninth day of the 2022 Queen’s Cup featured play in League Three as Park Place defeated Vikings 15-9, while Scone Polo also improved to 2-0 with the 13-12 victory over Murus Sanctus.
Challenging for a place at the top of League Three, Park Place and Vikings met on the Castle Ground at Flemish Farm. Asserting early dominance in the match, Park Place raced out to a 4-0 lead, led by three goals from Facundo Pieres and a quick passing attack that resulted in two of their three field goals coming from a pass to goal. Diego Cavanagh provided a response for Vikings, accounting for all three of their goals in the opening half, but Park Place continued to play at a lightning, fast pace, scoring four goals for the second consecutive chukka. Francisco Elizalde provided the second part of the elite duo with Facundo Pieres for Park Place as they combined for seven first half goals. Despite a yellow card to Keelan McCarthy taking away a goal, Park Place carried on, holding a significant 9-3 lead at the halftime break.
Igniting their offense through defense, Vikings held Park Place scoreless in the fourth chukka, while Juan Martin Zubai converted two penalties and a field goal to instantly cut the deficit in half. Adding another penalty conversion for his fourth unanswered goal, Vikings seemingly held all the momentum, but Park Place reorganized and would score six of the next seven goals to separate themselves once again. Finishing with a game-high seven goals, Facundo Pieres completed the efficient offensive day for Park Place as they remain undefeated with the 15-9 victory entering Sunday’s match against Scone Polo.
Looking to join Park Place with a 2-0 record, Scone Polo returned to competition after a week off and faced a tough Murus Sanctus team in search of their first win. Featuring a new line-up with Jose Araya and Beltran Laulhe, Murus Sanctus produced a quick start, receiving one goal each from the new additions to hold a narrow 3-2 lead. Following up teammate Facundo Sola on a run to goal, Laulhe added a second tally in the second chukka to help Murus Sanctus stay one goal ahead. It would kickstart a run for Murus Sanctus as Sola’s exceptional play resulted in five goals before halftime on accurate 70% shooting. Withstanding the early pressure, Scone Polo rotated effectively to receive contributions from all four players as part of a three-goal third chukka, but Murus Sanctus remained in control, leading 9-6 through three chukkas.
Playing his second game in as many days, Poroto Cambiaso singlehandedly brought Scone Polo back into the game. Scoring four goals, two each from the penalty line and the field, Cambiaso pushed forward while they kept Murus Sanctus scoreless to take their first lead since the opening chukka. Exchanging goals in a closely marked fifth chukka left the difference unchanged as Scone Polo tried to hold off the late charge from Murus Sanctus. Coming through in the high-pressure situation, Rosendo Torreguitar converted both shot attempts in the sixth chukka, the second of which proved to be the game-winning goal in the 13-12 triumph.
Photo Credit: Images of Polo