Kicking off Wednesday’s doubleheader in the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup at Guards Polo Club, La Magdeleine and Park Place Vaara converged in a captivating match.
In a game that came down to the final chukker, La Magdeleine was able to take advantage of foul trouble for Park Place Vaara, shooting 67% at the line for a total of six goals. Park Place Vaara had the advantage from the field, outshooting La Magdeleine 13 to 11 behind a six-goal effort from Hilario Ulloa, but their inability to avoid fouling proved costly. With the additional opportunities from the penalty line, La Magdeleine’s Pablo Mac Donough converted six as part of an impressive eight-goal performance, leading his team to the narrow 12-11 victory.
In the early stages of the game, Park Place Vaara’s Ulloa and La Magdeleine’s Facundo Fernandez Llorente traded goals to open the scoring. Efforts from Ulloa and Martin Podesta gave Park Place Vaara a narrow edge, leaving La Magdeleine looking to turn their chances into a lead before the end of the half. Despite their best efforts, La Magdeleine couldn’t slow Ulloa, who led Park Place Vaara with five goals in the half for a 9-6 advantage.
Initiating their second half comeback, La Magdeleine emerged from the tent with determination, as three unanswered goals from Mac Donough brought them within two. The last chukker saw an intense and close battle, as Mac Donough took advantage at the line, pressuring Park Place Vaara to remain solid with the clock running out. Putting together another three-goal run in the six, Mac Donough’s spectacular second half performance combined with a crucial shoutout sixth chukka delivered La Magdeleine the 12-11 win.
Concluding action at Brooks Field, Dubai and Twelve Oaks faced off with Dubai assembling a dominant performance to take the match 10-3.
Outshooting Twelve Oaks 24 to 14, Dubai was able to control the game in open play, converting nine goals and managing to stifle their opponents to a single field goal in the match. Overpowering Twelve Oaks from the first throw-in, five off the mallet of Camilo Castagnola, including three conversions allowed Dubai to finish with the convincing seven-goal victory.
Trading goals to open the game, Dubai began their takeover in the second scoring three unanswered on contributions from Rufino Bensadon, Beltran Laulhe and Castagnola to seize a 4-1 lead at the break.
Initiating the second half with Twelve Oaks’ lone field goal of the match, Matias Mac Donough Jr. added his name to the scoreboard, but Dubai was quickly back on the offensive attack. Outshooting Twelve Oaks 8 to 5 from the field, Dubai successfully managed to keep their opponents pinned on defense as a three-goal effort gave Dubai a 7-3 lead entering the final chukka. Finishing their strong, back-to-back goals from Bensadon, Dubai completed their statement victory 10-3.
Photo Credit: ©Mark Beaumont