Friday 5th of July led us into an exciting weekend of polo at Cowdray Park Polo Club and got underway with two close call matches and wins for Black Bears and Park Place.
Match 1
As was the case when these teams faced each other in the Queen’s Cup, it was another tough match up between Guy Scchwarzenbach’s Black Bears and Jean Paul Luksic’s Gaston side. This time however it was Black Bears that came out on top, managing to maintain their lead throughout after a goal heavy second chukka which left Gaston playing catch up. Despite Gaston’s best defensive efforts the Pieres Brothers worked beautifully together with Guy and Hazel working hard to clear space and let the magic happen.
Chukka Breakdown:
Score Progression:
Game Statistics:
Match 2
Next up was another epic polo battle and overtime thriller for the crowds. The Green Gates foursome vs those iconic blue shirts put on a great show of high goal polo and with never more than a goal in it, it was edge of your seat stuff. Green Gates were just unable to shut down the power plays between long term teammates Hilario Ulloa and Juan Britos however and when that extra chukka came it proved just too much for the Green Gates side and Britos sealed the deal with a field goal for the 12-11 win, their first of the tournament.
Chukka Breakdown:
Score Progression:
Game Statistics:
Photo credit – Mark Beaumont