EFG Bank Aravali lose to Sumaya in British Open
By Herbert Spencer
Ahmad Aboughazale’s Sumaya downed Karan Thapar’s EFG Bank Aravali 12-8 in their Wednesday league match of the British Open Championship for the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup at Cowdray Park Polo Club.
Sumaya held EFG Bank Aravali scoreless in the first chukka, but only managed one goal to lead 1-0.
In the second period EFG Bank Aravali’s Marcos Di Paola found the posts twice to equalise and take the lead, but Sumaya’s Javier Noillo Astrada tied it up again 2-2.
Sumaya’s Facundo Sola scored four goals to EFG Bank Aravali’s two in the third period for a 6-4 advantage at halftime. Scoring was equal in the fourth chukka leaving Sumaya in the lead 7-5. Sumaya again denied EFG Bank Aravali any points in the fifth period to take a commanding 11-5 lead.
EFG Bank Aravali rallied in the sixth and final chukka, with Eduardo Novillo Astrada scoring two and Di Paola one, against one by Sumaya patron Aboughazale. But the rally came too late to save the game and Sumaya ran out the winners.
In the day’s other league match, the Albwardys’ Dubai beat Jean-François Decaux’s La Bamba de Areco 11-7.
After a day off, British Open league play continues Friday when Les Lions play Cortium.