Narrow Gold Cup win for Les Lions II
By Herbert Spencer
Max Gottschalk’s Les Lions II narrowly defeated Piaget 13-12 Sunday in the last chukka of their League Four match of the British Open Championship for the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup at Cowdray Park Polo Club.
Piaget, spearheaded by brothers Marcos and Bautista Heguy, were leading or keeping level with Les Lions II throughout the first half that ended 7-7. Then in the fourth chukka Bautista Heguy suffered an injury from his teammate’s pony’s head and had to leave the game, substituted by Magoo Laprida. It was only then that Les Lions II took the lead for the first time.
The match was tied up, 11-11, at the beginning of the sixth chukka. Agustin Merlos gave Les Lions II the lead with a 30-yard penalty conversion before Marcos Heguy equalised with a spot penalty shot. Merlos finally converted another 30-yarder to give Les Lions II a win on penalties.
Meanwhile, Alfio Marchini’s Loro Piana had an easy 14-9 win over Roger Carlsson’s Billingbear Park to take the lead in League Four. Loro Piana, Gold Cup winners in 2008, remains undefeated after three games.
In the day’s third match, Nigel Warr’s Combe defeated Nick Clarke’s Salkeld 10-8.