Cartier International China Polo Challenge Day One
11th October 2012
Cartier and Tang were the winners on day one of the Cartier International China Polo Challenge 2012. Cartier, patroned by Shilai Liu and Adriano Agosti, defeated Jonathan Munro Ford and Kim Richardson’s Dorchester Collection in a close game on ground 2 at Tang Polo Club. The scores were level at half-time – 3-3 – but Cartier pulled away in the second half to win 6-4.
The host team, Tang Polo Club had a more comprehensive victory, defeating an unsettled Equus & Co 7-2 in the second game of the day. Earlier in the day Equus & Co had been forced to rearrange their team at the last minute following Andrew Hine’s unexpected withdrawal from the competition. So Roddy Matthews, who was already in China to umpire this tournament, was called in to play instead. Fortunately, due to the depth of talent on the field, the organisers can call on the services of several experienced umpires for this tournament and today (Thursday) Juan Jose Brane of the Cartier team joined Peter Wright to umpire the second game.
Roland Fasel, General Manager Dorchester Collection, generously presented the prizes after both matches, with all teams receiving vouchers for luxury accommodation in any of Dorchester Collection’s UK hotels.
Cartier: Shilai Liu (0); Adriano Agosti (1); Juan Jose Brane (7); Ramiro Garcia Dagna (4)
Dorchester Collection: Jonathan Munro Ford (-1); Kim Richardson (1); Chris Hyde (6); Jack Richardson (4).
Tang Polo: Nan Liu (0); Top Raksriarksorn (0); Horacio Etcheverry (6); Lucas Lujan (4).
Equus & Co: Aron Harilela (1); Alex Brodie (1); Oliver Hipwood (5); Roddy Matthews (3).
Tomorrow’s matches: Dorchester Collection v Equus & Co at 2pm; Cartier v Tang Polo at 3.30pm