Talandracas Complete Comeback in British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup
Friday’s sole match in the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup featured an undefeated Talandracas seeking their third win of the tournament against a Twelve Oaks team hoping to rebound from their previous loss to Park Place.
Assembling on Lawns Ground 2, Cristian Laprida kicked-started the scoring for Twelve Oaks with two goals in the opening chukka. Aided with the offensive efforts of teammate Joaquin Pittaluga, early and accurate drives resulted in Twelve Oaks going 3 for 3 from the field to establish a two-goal lead. Rebounding in the second chukka, four goals including two successful conversions between Pablo Pieres and Alejandro Muzzio erased their deficit to claim a narrow 5-4 lead. Shifting the momentum once more, Twelve Oaks’ balanced effort resulted in a four-goal unanswered run as contributions from Pittaluga, John Paul Clarkin and Charlie Wooldridge in open play concluded the back-and-forth first half with Twelve Oaks emerging on top 8-6.
Trading goals to open the fourth chukka between Talandracas’ Muzzio in the field and Twelve Oaks’ Pittaluga at the 40-yard line, Talandracas began their second half comeback outscoring their opponents with back-to-back goals from Pieres and to seize a one-goal lead. Blanking Twelve Oaks from the scoreboard for the first time in the match, an impressive defensive effort was coupled with two more Talandracas goals, both coming off the mallet of Pieres. Talandracas ended the tight contest outscoring Twelve Oaks from the line, successfully converting nine of their six attempts to aid in their second half 11-10 comeback victory.
Photo Credit ©Mark Beaumont