Another triple header saw the action flowing at Guards Polo Club on Friday 23rd May as the Queen’s Cup qualifier round matches continued with debuts for some and second rounds for others.
Match 1:
The Teams:
First up, Dubai v GenrosaLeo-Clinova. Rashid Albwardy’s Dubai squad already have a win under their belt – a confident victory on the opening day – and today was pretty much a repeat performance. Dubai claimed this game, the first high-goal game to be played on the Club’s recently developed Ground 6, with 15 goals on their scorecard again. Jeta Castagnola is one of only four 10-goalers in this year’s tournament and he delivered another masterclass in making space and shooting straight. He was also brilliantly backed up by Hazel Jackson, herself a 10-goal player in the ladies’ game, and Antonio Heguy. Dubai’s opposition, Raja Karim’s GenrosaLeo-Clinova squad, who received one goal on handicap, were just beginning their Cartier Queen’s Cup adventure today but it did not have the happy ending the team was hoping for. Karim was the first to score in this match, giving GenrosaLeo-Clinova a 2-0 start in the opening minutes, but Dubai soon overtook them and never looked to be in any serious trouble.
Chukka Breakdown:
Score Progression:
Game Statistics:
Match 2:
The Teams:
Next up was a very different affair. Ferne Park were hunting for a second win after an impressive victory on Tuesday, while Clinova/Thai Polo were looking for that all-important first win after a defeat by UAE Polo Team on the opening day. The result was a wonderfully competitive match on the Castle Ground. Signet/Thai Polo had a two-goal advantage (8-6) at half-time and were looking strong. Ferne Park rallied in the fourth with Vere Harmsworth and Pelon Stirling delivering two good goals to level the score. This match was now a battle to the wire, with both sides trading shots. Tommy Severn put Signet/Thai Polo ahead early in the fifth only for Joaquin Pittaluga to cancel out any advantage. A penalty and a goal off the stick of Stirling gave Ferne Park a two-goal advantage (11-9) going into the sixth. The flowing game of earlier was now replaced with a more stop/start affair as both teams hunted for goals. Ferne Park was more successful, firing through two to only one in reply off the stick of Ned Hine. On the final whistle it was Ferne Park ahead, giving them that crucial second win.
Chukka Breakdown:
Score Progression:
Game Statistics:
Match 3:
The Teams:
The final game of the day was similar to the opening match of the day. La Dolfina Scone proved too strong for Jehangiri Polo on The Princes’ Ground. The stand-out players for David Paradice’s La Dolfina Scone squad today were Marcos Araya and Paco de Narvaez. They were everywhere and made the most of any space. Muhammed Jehangiri’s team struggled to match this A-star performance and sadly sent too many of their own opportunities wide of the mark. La Dolfina Scone were 9-2 ahead at half-time and went on to win this game 13-5.
Chukka Breakdown:
Score Progression:
Game Statistics:
All games of the Queens’s Cup can be seen here
Polocam.tv – Quality Streaming Service
Image credit Pablo Ramirez
Stats provided by International Polo Academy