Les Lions / Great Oaks 11 – 10 Next Generation
A golden goal in extra time off the stick of Jeta Castagnola after some great work from his brother Barto, denied Next Generation the opportunity of seizing the UK 22-goal double of the Cowdray Park Gold Cup and the Cartier Queen’s Cup. Les Lions / Great Oaks won a game that was packed with drama and some wonderful play, but only after a seventh chukka. There was so little to call between these two teams that it remained anyone’s game until that final, golden goal. This game was very much a family affair. Adolfo snr was playing alongside his 14-year-old son Poroto, who has impressed everyone in this tournament, while Les Lions/ Great Oaks were fielding Cambiaso’s two impressive Castagnola nephews. Add in a handful of Cambiaso clones in the pony list and this was polo royalty on The Duke’s Ground at Guards Polo Club.
Sadly Cambiaso snr had to retire hurt in the fifth, but Next Generation did not lose their momentum. The young seven-goaler Juan Martin Zubia, who has been playing out of his skin for MT Vikings, took Adolfo’s place with ease. A good example was in the sixth when Zubia was in the perfect place to pick up a pass from Diego Cavanagh to fire through a goal to give Next Generation the lead (10-9). However the stand out player of the game today was young Camilo (Jeta) Castagnola. He scored eight of Les Lions / Great Oaks’ goals, producing huge penalty hits that seemed to be heading into the next county. It was Jeta who had secured the penalty that levelled the scores again in the sixth chukka, forcing this match into extra time.
Les Lions/Great Oaks now face Thai Polo in the first semi-final next Wednesday for the Hubert Perrodo Trophy. These teams have met previously in this tournament, with Les Lions/Great Oaks narrowly winning by just one goal. Thai Polo though have gone from strength to strength in this competition and they will be well rested too as they had an automatic qualification to the semis as they finished top of League One. Whatever the form books say though, it will be another thrilling contest.
Scone Polo 12 – 9 Monterosso
Last year’s champions keep their 2020 Cartier Queen’s Cup campaign very much alive with this 12-9 win over Monterosso, played in much cooler conditions. Nico Pieres, who has been outstanding for Scone Polo in this year’s competition, fired through nine of his team’s twelve goals. Ignacio Toccalino was equally impressive for Alessandro Bazzoni’s Monterosso Polo Team, shooting through seven goals but even he could not rectify the damage that had been done in the fourth chukka. Scone Polo were very much in command of this match by this point, taking an 8-3 going into the fifth. Monterosso, who have been tough and competitive all tournament, never gave up and chipped away at Scone’s five-goal advantage, successfully reducing it to just three goals on the final whistle.
Once again Scone Polo had started their Cartier Queen’s Cup campaign rather slowly, losing to Thai Polo and then just scraping past Park Place Vaara. Don’t be fooled though. They did something similar in last year’s tournament and went on to receive the Cup from HM The Queen at their first attempt! In fact it should be said that David Paradice’s team just get better with each game. So it would be a brave person that would bet against the red shirts in this tournament although their semi-final opponents, Park Place, have been particularly strong this year. An exciting semi is on the cards without doubt, especially as it will feature all three Pieres brothers. In addition, these teams meeting in next Wednesday’s semi ensures it will be a replica of last year’s final.
Tomorrow’s matches – Cartier Queen’s Cup subsidiary quarter-finals
12pm MT Vikings v Polo Stud Schockemohle
3pm Segavas v Park Place Vaara. The winners of this game will receive the Gerard Leigh Trophy
All matches can be watched LIVE at guards-tv
Phot0 Credit – Images of Polo