Cartier Queen’s Cup – Day 1
The first league matches took place today for the Cartier Queen’s Cup 2015. Twelve teams have entered this high-goal tournament which concludes with an impressive final on Sunday 14 June.
King Power Foxes 17 – 9 VPS Healthcare Sifani at Coworth Park
Not surprisingly King Power Foxes, featuring the powerful double act of Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres, won the first of the Cartier Queen’s Cup league matches of 2015. However Hilali Noordeen’s VPS Healthcare Sifani had written a different script and his side dominated the early chukkas. This new line up produced some great play, especially from the new partnership of Max Charlton and Malcolm Borwick. Although Sifani had a scare just a couple of minutes in when their number three, Agustin Merlos took a hit to the hand, but the Argentine 9-goaler was soon back in the saddle and in the thick of the action.
The momentum changed in the third when Sifani failed to find the flags, but Facundo Pieres, who was celebrating his 29th birthday today, scored three goals. Hugo Lewis, the youngest member of the team also scored in this chukka, putting the Foxes in front for the first time. Although Borwick successfully converted two penalties for Sifani and Merlos scored a field goal; Gonzalito and Top Srivaddhanaprabha produced three to keep them ahead. The Foxes were now on flying form and with Sifani again failing to score in the fifth, a King Power victory looked assured. The Pieres boys wanted to be certain though and produced another five goals in the remaining 14 minutes to just one in reply from Sifani.
Although this was always going to be a tough call for Sifani – King Power Foxes were one of the four seeded teams in this competition – they acquitted themselves well and will head into their next game (Monday 25th May) with renewed confidence.
Zacara 11 – 9 RH Polo at Guards Polo Club
Lyndon Lea’s Zacara began their defence of the Cartier Queen’s Cup with a victory over new team RH Polo. There was much attention on this new Zacara line-up, with Juan Martin Nero coming in to replace Facundo Pieres and Rodrigo Andrade returning to the side after a year’s absence. Juan Martin immediately justified his position by scoring 8 of his team’s goals and this team look to have the player and pony power to go far in this year’s competition.
RH Polo was also attracting much attention. The new combination of Francisco Elizalde and Nico Pieres took time to gel and RH Polo failed to find the flags in three of these six chukkas. However they seemed able to cope with the pressure – essential as teams get further through the tournament – and in the sixth chukka it was Zacara that failed to score. Patron Ben Soleimani should take heart from RH Polo’s performance today – played in sun, wind and hail – they are clearly a tough team that will only get better with experience.
Tomorrow’s games – Wednesday 20 May
12 noon King Power v El Remanso at Billingbear
3pm HB Polo v Somerton Polo at Coworth Park