Park Place Improve to 3-1 in Cartier Queen’s Cup
In their final game of league play in the Cartier Queen’s Cup, Park Place captured a crucial 11-8 victory over UAE Polo Team II at Coworth Park, securing their place in the quarterfinals.
After a difficult final second loss to Vikings, Park Place returned to their winning ways against UAE Polo Team II, led by the duo of Juan Britos and Facundo Pieres who combined for all 11 of their team’s goals. UAE Polo Team II fought to keep pace with Park Place and were successful in doing so throughout the first half, but inaccurate 29% shooting in the game prevented them from challenging for the victory late. Alfredo Cappella and Lucas Monteverde Jr both contributed four goals for UAE Polo Team II, but the additional penalty goals for Park Place in the second half led them to victory.
Unable to play after sustaining an injury, Park Place’s Andrey Borodin was replaced by Sebastian Petragallo, who performed admirably in his first appearance in the Cartier Queen’s Cup. UAE Polo Team II looked to take the early lead, outshooting Park Place 5-1 in the first chukka, but managed just one goal from Monteverde Jr that left the two teams tied at 1-all. Turning to their two-man game, Park Place’s Pieres and Britos produced one goal each to push their team ahead by one, but the strong play of Monteverde Jr at the front of the game for UAE Polo Team II brought the game back into a tie after two field goals ended the half.
A foul ridden start to the second half resulted in the first five goals all coming from the penalty line, three in favour of Park Place and two for UAE Polo Team II as the whistles slowed play. Britos pushed Park Place’s lead to two before the end of the fourth chukka with UAE Polo Team II trying to close the gap. Unable to convert any of their five shot attempts in the fifth chukka, UAE Polo Team’s struggles in open play prevented them from pulling even. Two missed penalty attempts for Park Place gave UAE Polo Team II hope entering the final chukka, but Britos led the Park Place attack over the final moments. Back-to-back field goals in the sixth chukka secured the 11-8 victory for Park Place as they await next weekend’s quarterfinals in their quest to reach the final.
King Power Hand Vikings Their First Loss in Cartier Queen’s Cup
An important game in League Two of the Cartier Queen’s Cup resulted in King Power handing Vikings their first loss with a dominant 16-10 victory on the Duke’s Ground at Guards Polo Club.
Leading from start to finish, King Power exited the first chukka with a 5-0 lead and managed their advantage throughout with accurate 63% shooting on 19 shots. Juan Martin Zubia finished a perfect 6 for 6 from the penalty line, but King Power’s dominance in open play limited the chances for Vikings to overcome the slow start and close the early deficit. Hilario Ulloa and Francisco Elizalde provided excellent performances for King Power, combining for 12 goals and seven assists in the crucial 16-10 victory.
Taking control of the game from the first chukka, King Power dominated open play despite losing four of the five throw-ins by quickly gaining possession to begin their attack. Keeping Vikings in their defensive half, King Power scored five goals in quick succession before their opponents registered a shot to hold a commanding five-goal lead. Demonstrating the well-rounded team performance, King Power added three more goals, one each from Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Charles Cooney and Elizalde, while Ulloa assisted on two of the goals, leaving Vikings with a difficult time in slowing all four players on the other side. Zubia accounted for all three of his team’s goals in the first half, but the result was a significant 11-3 deficit in arguably the half of the tournament by King Power.
Beginning the second half with two penalty conversions, Zubia fought to bring Vikings back within reach, but King Power’s Ulloa responded with goals on back-to-back players to maintain their eight-goal lead. Focused on maintaining their advantage, King Power stayed back defensively to prevent a run of goals from Vikings. Zubia and Sebastian Merlos combined for five goals over the final two chukkas, but the large deficit from the first half was too much to overcome as King Power cruised to the 16-10 victory and gave Vikings their first loss of the tournament.