We were promised action for the Quarter Finals of the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup… and action was delivered! Two exciting matches kicked off the Quarters weekend at Cowdray Park Polo Club on Saturday 12th July, both matches ending in just a 1 goal difference.
Match 1:
First up it was Kazak vs Gaston Polo Team. Gaston was the only team coming into the quarters undefeated having had a great tournament so far. They came out strong, but Kazak immediately replied with an impressive 5-0 2nd chukka which put them in a great position. An interesting game, the dominance and possession swung wildly each chukka and it seemed to be all or nothing, each team dominating alternate chukkas and the lead switching accordingly. The audience were left only guessing as to who would come out on top as each chukka seemed like a whole new match, the pressure on throughout and the battle unrelenting.
Nico Pieres and Fran Elizalde seemed to be everywhere, picking up every loose ball and first to jump on any opportunity and fire the pass up to their teammate to create goal scoring opportunities. With Kazak 6 for 6 from the penalty line, Gaston could not afford to take risks and foul with Fran Elizalde deadly accurate and racking up those all important points on the scoreboard.
While going into the last it was Gaston with the advantage after a 5 goal chukka in the 5th, Kazak stepped up, Chris Mackenzie scoring from the field and Elizalde scoring twice from the field and once from the penalty line to equalise and then take the all important final second lead that secures their place in the Semis.
Match 2:
Up next another tight match with 2 of the tournament favourites UAE and La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal going head to head in the first knock out stage. All tied up after the first 2, UAE took the lead, Lukin Monteverde and Juan Martin Nero making an incredible duo, covering all bases on the field and making life difficult for Poroto and his team. Santos Merlos worked hard in the middle of the field to connect the front running Lukin to Nero’s defensive 4 position and the result was clean, spacious, running polo with plenty of shots on goal.
But La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal never gave up. Poroto is a Cambiaso and Cambiasos know exactly when and how to turn it up. 2 down going into the last, the team in blue came out all guns blazing and an incredible chukka from Carlos Ulloa saw them score 4 goals to take the lead for the first time all game. The last 2 goals to equalise and take the win came off the stick of Carlos Ulloa, beautifully positioned to receive the long range passes of Poroto and finish the all important goals. La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal advance to the semi finals being played on Wednesday 16th July where they will take on winners of the first match, Kazak.
Watch all Gold Cup matches here: https://cowdraypolo.co.uk/cowdray-tv/
Image credit Mark Beaumont
Stats provided by International Polo Academy