14-10 wins for La Indiana and RH
Lots of interest in today’s Cartier Queen’s Cup games. Firstly, two new Queen’s Cup patrons in action – Alessandro Bazzoni’s Monterosso Polo Team were up first, followed by Christine Ricard’s Murus Sanctus this afternoon. There was also plenty of curiosity in seeing Adolfo Cambiaso – holder of the Cartier Queen’s Cup record for the most wins – wearing an RH Polo shirt for the first time in this competition.
League One: La Indiana 14 – 10 Monterosso Polo Team at Coworth Park
Last year’s runners-up started their 2017 campaign strongly, with Michael Bickford’s La Indiana never looking in danger in this game. They were 8-3 up at half-time and retained their advantage in the second half to win the match. Bazzoni’s team, playing in the high-goal at Guards Polo Club for the first time and centred around the Toccalino brothers, did find their feet in the second half, scoring more goals than their rivals. Although with La Indiana’s commanding lead Bickford’s boys could have been forgiven if they took their foot off the accelerator just a bit in the latter stages of this game, knowing that they have both the pony power and the players – the partnership of Agustin Merlos and Nic Roldan is known to be effective – to turn up the heat again if needed.
League Two: RH Polo 14 – 10 Murus Sanctus at Guards Polo Club
Not surprisingly all eyes were on RH Polo in this match, with the World’s Number One playing for Ben Soleimani for the first time after more than a decade with the Dubai Polo team. However, Murus Sanctus, patroned by Christine Ricard, the only lady player in this year’s tournament, were very much in contention from the first whistle. Despite not scoring at all in the second, Murus Sanctus, featuring the latest member of the 10-goal club, Hilario Ulloa, were only down by two goals (7-5) at half time. RH Polo did the damage in the fourth chukka though, firing through four more goals to none in reply from Murus Sanctus. At this level goals are vital and although Murus Sanctus scored five further goals in the final two chukkas it was not enough to peg back RH.
Next games
Saturday 27 May
La Bamba de Areco v Sifani at 12 noon – ground TBC
La Indiana v Talandracas at 3pmat Guards Polo Club. The winner will receive the Royal Windsor Horse Show Cup