Sifani wins at Flemish Farm and La Indiana at Guards Polo Club
Sifani 11 – 8 La Bamba de Areco at Flemish Farm
Windsor Castle was the backdrop for Hilali Noordeen’s Sifani team’s first win in the 2017 Cartier Queen’s Cup. They defeated Jean Francois Decaux’s La Bamba de Areco 11 – 8 on the Castle Ground at Flemish Farm. However, it had all been a different story in the first two chukkas with La Bamba dominating the game. The third chukka was the turning point – with Sifani suddenly finding their form. They levelled the scores 5-5 at half-time and went on to dominate the second half. Julian de Lusarreta, who was named Cartier MVP in last year’s final when playing for La Indiana, was very strong and his partnership with Guillermo Terrera and John Paul Clarkin was impressive today. La Bamba did not give up though, fighting until the final whistle, but they failed to find the flags, sending balls uncharacteristically wide. This was their first game of the tournament though and they will be more formidable in their next match.
La Indiana 13 – 8 Talandracas at Guards Polo Club
La Indiana is the first team to register two wins in this year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup after defeating Talandracas on the Duke’s Ground. Michael Bickford’s team played some great 4-man polo and the addition of Luke Tomlinson at back this season means that La Indiana’s back door is always firmly shut. In fact this consistency of play is something that the other teams cannot afford to ignore. So it was not a surprise to see the King Power team watching this game with much interest from the grandstand, although they will not meet until the later stages of this tournament. Agustin Merlos was on flying form – especially in the second half – and the speed of some of his ponies ensured he won any horse races against Sapo Caset and Pelon Stirling. Nic Roldan also produced some great goals from impressive distances, again emphasising how 4-man polo can create such a flowing game, much to the delight of the many spectators and the VIP guests from the team behind the Royal Windsor Horse Show, sponsors of this match. Annabel Brooks-Ward presented the Royal Windsor Horse Show Cup to Michael Bickford in front of the Duke’s Pavilion.
Next matches
Sunday 28 May
12noon Monterosso Polo Team v Sommelier at Coworth Park
3pm RH Polo Team v King Power Foxes at Guards Polo Club – the winner of this match will receive the Kerry Packer Trophy