Talandracas and Cortium claim their quarter-final places after two tense games at Guards Polo Club
League Four
Talandracas 10 – 8 Sumaya
Edouard Carmignac’s Talandracas team kept their Cartier Queen’s Cup hopes alive by defeating Sumaya 10 – 8 on The Duke’s Ground this afternoon. This was a tense match with both teams looking to go into the last eight of the tournament. The first three chukkas reflected this tension, with the game being marred by umpires’ whistles and penalties. The second half was a faster affair with Lucas James and Juan Juaretche on flying form for Talandracas. Unfortunately for Sumaya, today was not a good day for Facundo Sola’s penalty shots, with several going wide throughout the game. Although the scores were 5-5 at the end of the fourth, Talandracas pulled away in the fifth, scoring three goals to none in reply to Sumaya. The sixth was again marred with penalties, no doubt tension taking hold of both teams once again. Sumaya kept on fighting though and a great goal from Tomas Garbarini and a couple of converted penalties kept their hopes alive. However with just a minute or so left of this match Talandracas were awarded a penalty and with Lucas James once again successfully converting this opportunity, it was enough to secure Talandracas’s journey through to the next stages.
Cortium 12 – 7 HB Polo
Adrian Kirby’s Cortium team secured their position at the top of League Four by winning their third league match of the Cartier Queen’s Cup 2013. This guarantees them a quarter-final place this weekend, although they will have to wait until the final league matches tomorrow, to find out who their opponents may be. HB Polo (rec 1) were looking for their first win in this match but found themselves no match for Cortium, winners of the British Open Championship last year. HB Polo failed to score at all in the first two chukkas and by half time they were trailing 6-1. HB Polo came back into the game in the second half, with Ignacio Toccalino successfully scoring goals and converting penalties to bring them back into the game. Unfortunately for HB Polo, all the Cortium team were on form, with Chris Mackenzie, Eduardo Novillo Astrada and Adrian Kirby scoring goals in the fourth. With Fran Elizalde adding to Cortium’s tally in the fifth, Cortium’s victory was assured, despite failing to score at all in the sixth and final chukka.
Tomorrow’s matches (Wednesday 5 June)
Black Bears v Salkeld at 12noon at Guards Polo Club: These two teams are battling for a quarter-final place after both registering one win apiece so all to play for.
UAE Polo v La Bamba at 3pm at Guards Polo Club: UAE Polo looking to make it three out of three to head up League Three, while La Bamba will be keen to register their first win of the competition.