Polo history in the making on the VR Field in Thailand
Thailand Polo King’s Cup Tournament – Day 2
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
16:00 BP Healthcare 8 v 9.5 Global Port (SSP Field)
17:30 King Power 11 v 9.5 Brunei Polo (VR Field)
On the second day of play in the highest handicapped tournament in Asia – Thailand Polo King’s Cup held at the VR Sports Club in Bangkok, the two teams taking to the SPP Field alongside umpires Tim Keyte and Oli Ellis were the 18 goal Malaysian team – BP Healthcare – James Beh (1), Joevy Beh (4), Garvy Beh (4) and Argentine Nachi Heguy (9), and from the Philippines, patron Michael Romero’s (0) and his 17 goal Global Port team – Benjamin Urquiza (5), Manuel Crespo (7) and Anthony Garcia (5). By the half time bell BP Healthcare were leading by half a goal at 7 v 6.5 Global Port in what had been a first half of end to end scoring with both teams scoring goal for goal in almost ‘ping pong’ like polo, resulting in thirteen goals being scored in three chukkas.
At the end of the fourth however, despite a run of thirteen goals in the first three chukkas and end to end on pitch polo action, after half time neither team could find another goal in the penultimate chukka with the score remaining BP Healthcare 7 v 6.5 Global Port. In the final chukka Global Port scored first, then Nachi Heguy took control for the team in orange (BP Healthcare) midway through the chukka to close up the scores to 8 v 8.5. With one minute to go Global Port then took the lead with a goal by five goaler Benjamin Urquiza (who the commentator remarked was his ‘man of the match’), ending the game with a scoreboard reading BP Healthcare 8 v 9.5 Global Port.
In the second match of the day there was real ‘polo history in the making’ on the pitches of Bangkok as the battle of the ten goalers took place with Gonzalo Pieres (King Power) and Pablo Mac Donough (Brunei Polo) taking to the VR Field to meet for the first time ever in Thailand. At half time the scores were as tight as can be on a polo pitch between two polo team when one is leading, with only half a goal in it and a scoreboard reading King Power 6 v 5.5 Brunei Polo. In the first half four goals were scored by each ten goal player for their respective teams, with Brunei Polo’s patron Princess Azemah also scoring a goal for her side and Aiyawatt (Top) Srivaddhanaprabha putting two goals on the board for his King Power team. It certainly looking like ‘the fight of the ten goalers’ going into the second half under the floodlights of the VR Field in Bangkok. Half way through the fourth chukka, in what was proving to be everything that was anticipated of this inaugural meeting of the two top ten goalers in Thailand, the play between Gonzalo Pieres and Pablo truly emulated two boxers sparring in the ring, with each determined to hold their corner for their team. In the last seconds of the fourth chukka Pablo Mac Donough put a goal through for Brunei Polo, giving them the lead by half a goal going into the final chukka 7.5 to King Power’s 7 goals. Thirty seconds into the final chukka a penalty awarded to King Power allowed them to then take the lead by half a goal at 8 goals to 7.5. With five minutes remaining, Top broke away to score another goal putting King Power further in the lead at 9 goals to Brunei Polo’s 7.5. In the final three minutes of the match Top continued to show exactly why his handicap was raised at the beginning of the 2015 season as he scored again to increase the King Power lead to 10 v 8.5. Despite a penalty being awarded to Brunei Polo in the last thirty seconds of the game, which resulted in a goal, there was not enough time for them to find any further goals meaning King Power secured a second win of 11goals to Brunei Polo’s 9.5.
In what was his first game on the pitches of Thailand, post-match Pablo Mac Donough said, ‘It was a great privilege to make a guest appearance for the 2015 King’s Cup and to play for the team Brunei, one of the great polo dynasties.’ With Pablo now heading to Dubai to compete in the Gold Cup, nine goaler Ignacio Novillo Astrada will be playing alongside Joaquim Pittaluga, HRH Princess Azamah and HH Prince Bahar in Brunei Polo for the duration of the tournament.
Matches on Thursday 21st January:
Day 3 – Thursday 22nd January
16:00 Tang Polo v Brunei Polo (SPP Field)
17:30 Global Port v Ahmibah Brunei (VR Field)
See below for full team list and schedule of play.
King’s Cup Tournament Schedule of Play 2015
Day 1 – Tuesday 20th January
16:00 King Power 9 v 7.5 Tang Polo (VR Field)
17:30 BP Healthcare 6 v 9.5 Ahmibah Brunei (VR Field)
Day 2 – Wednesday 21st January
1600 BP Healthcare 8 v 9.5 Global Port (SSP Field)
17:30 King Power 11 v 9.5 Brunei Polo (VR Field)
Day 3 – Thursday 22nd January
16:00 Tang Polo v Brunei Polo (SPP Field)
17:30 Global Port v Ahmibah Brunei (VR Field)
Day 4 – Friday 23rd January
16:00 5th v 6th (SPP Field)
17:30 3rd v 4th (VR Field)
Day 5 – Saturday 24th January
17:30 Final (VR Field)
King’s Cup Tournament 2015 Teams*
*Please note: The King’s Cup is a 15-18 goal tournament, King Power’s team was entered in December when Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha’s handicap was 0, subsequently, on the 1st January 2015 his handicap was raised to 1, so King Power will play as a 19 goal team. All handicaps will be introduced with goal advantage for less handicapped teams.
Group 1
King Power (19 goals) – Thailand
1. Apichet Srivaddhanaprabha (0)
2. Aiyawatt (Top) Srivaddhanaprabha (1)
3. Gonzalo Pieres (10)
4. Marcos Di Paola (8)
Tang Polo Club (17 goals) – China
1. Shilai Liu (1)
2. Miguel Diaz (5)
3. Temi Wellington (7)
4. Antonino Menard (4)
Brunei Polo Team (17 goals) – Brunei**
1. HRH Princess Azamah (0)
2. HH Prince Bahar (1)
3. Joaquim Pittaluga (7)
4. Ignacio Novillo Astrada (9)
**Please note: In matches played on Wednesday 21st January Pablo Mac Donough (10) substituted for Ignacio Novillo Astrada (9), meaning the Brunei Polo Team was an 18 goal team, in all other games Ignacio Novillo Astrada will be playing.
Group 2
BP Healthcare (18 goals) – Malaysia
1. James Beh (1)
2. Joevy Beh (4)
3. Garvy Beh (4)
4. Nachi Heguy (9)
Global Port (17 goals) – Philippines
1. Michael Romero (0)
2. Benjamin Urquiza (5)
3. Manuel Crespo (7)
4. Anthony Garcia (5)
Ahmibah Brunei (15 goals) – Brunei
1. HH Prince Qawi (-1)
2. HRH Prince Jefri Bolkiah (0)
3. Francesco Bensadon (8)
4. Ale Agote (8)
Notes:
For tournament info via social media please follow The Thai Polo Association – hashtag for the event is #kingscup2015:
Twitter: @tpa_polo
Facebook Page: Thailand Polo Association
Instagram: Thailand Polo Association
Website: www.thailandpolo.or.th