Dubai, Ayala to play final of Cartier Queen’s Cup
By Herbert Spencer
Rashid Albwardy’s Dubai and Iñigo Zobel’s Ayala won the semi-finals of the 22-goal Cartier Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club Wednesday and will meet in the final next Sunday, 17 June.
Ayala, led by 10-goaler Gonzalito Pieres, downed Karan Thapur’s EFG Bank Aravali 11-8, despite equal scoring in three of the six chukkas.
Zobel’s side took the lead in the first chukka 2-1, but EFG Bank Aravali matched them goal for goal in the next three periods that ended 4-3, 6-5 and 7-6, leaving Ayala with only a one-goal advantage as they went into the fifth chukka.
Ayala began pulling ahead in the fifth period with two goals by New Zealander John Paul Clarkin against one by EFG Bank Aravali’s Mark Tomlinson. Clarkin and Pieres scored for Ayala in the final period while Tomlinson found the posts once for EFG Bank Aravali, leaving Ayala the winners.
EFG Bank Aravali’s Eduardo Novillo Astrada was named most valuable player and one of his mares won the best playing pony prize.
Meanwile, Dubai defeated the Hanburys’ El Remanso 9-6 to earn their place in the final, with 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso scoring six of Dubai’s goals and receiving the most valuable player award from François Le Troquer, managing director of Cartier Ltd.