Ellerston win shootout for British Open place
By Herbert Spencer
James Packer’s Ellerston won a three-way penalty shootout Friday to join seven other teams playing in the quarterfinals of the British Open Championships for the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup at Cowdray Park Polo Club.
The shootout to decide the eighth quarterfinalists was between Jerome Wirth’s Enigma, Stefano Marsaglia’s Piaget and Packer’s Ellerston. Each team nominated three penalty takers – all pros – and each of them was required to shoot from 40 yards and 60 yards out.
Enigma was first up. Their Matias MacDonough made his 40, but missed his 60. Ten-goaler Juan Martin Nero made his 40 but surprisingly missed from the 60-yard penalty spot. Fabio Lavinia scored with both his 40 and 60, giving Enigma 4 points.
Shooting for Piaget, Joaquin Pittaluga scored both from the 40-yard marker and the 60. Christian Laprida and Alejandro Muzzio made their 40s but both missed their 60s, leaving Piaget with 4 points.
Ten-goaler Gonzalito Pieres shot first for Ellerston, scoring from both the 40-yard and 60-yard markers. So too did John Paul Clarkin. Last up was 3-goaler Tomas Garbarini Islas. He smacked the ball through the posts from 40 yards out, giving Ellerston 5 points to win the shootout and a place in the quarterfinals.
In the first quarterfinals of the British Open Saturday, titleholders Zacara will meet Cortium and Dubai will play Salkeld.