Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge 2018
The league stages of the 13th edition of the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge concluded this afternoon, firing the sponsor’s two teams into the final. First up was the red shirted Cartier Panthere team, patroned by Dubai residents, Sam Instone and Tiernan O’Rourke. They already had one win under their belts, but this year’s tournament featuring 4 teams, was such a competitive contest that they knew that even a second win might not be enough. Not leaving anything to chance they focused on the match and powered to victory, defeating Saudi national Amr Zedan’s Zedan Polo Team 7-5 on the Clubhouse ground.
The second match was much more clear cut. Cartier Tank were looking strong – the only team to have already secured two wins – but they knew that they had to put up strong performance to guarantee their place in the final and avoid relying on goal difference. Clearly UK based patron Clive Reid and Abu Dhabi-based patron Faris Al Yabhouni had briefed their professionals well as the white shirted Cartier team defeated the home side, Desert Palm, patroned by Rashid Albwardy and Rashid Al Sayegh, 8-3.
This means that Cartier Panthere will play Cartier Tank at 3.45pm this Saturday at Ali Albwardy’s Desert Palm Resort and Polo Club in the 2018 final of the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge. Desert Palm and Zedan will be in action earlier, at 2.30pm, for the subsidiary Desert Palm Trophy.