Les Lions II victorious over Enigma in another match dogged by whistles
By Antje Derks
Yesterday’s match on Ambersham two was an important one for both Enigma and Les Lions II. Both teams had each won two of their three matches and the winner was assured a place in the Gold Cup Quarters.
However, what ensued was yet another match dogged by whistles and throw-ins, which ruined the game for players and spectators alike.
By half-time it looked like Les Lions II and victory in the bag, leading Jerome Wirth’s team 5 – 2. Enigma just weren’t gelling on the pitch and James Beim and Malcolm Borwick were being particularly uninspiring, which doesn’t bode well for this year’s Cartier International.
A team talk during half-time seemed to wake up Enigma, with Frenchy playing his boots off, inspiring Beim and Borwick to finally pull their fingers out and play some proper polo.
Indeed the only chukka that actually caught spectators attention was the fifth, which saw some beautiful play by Matias McDonough , putting Enigma into the lead by a goal (7-6).
Unfortunately the sixth chukka was a volley of whistles. In the end though, Les Lions II won the match by two goals after being awarded two thirty yard penalties in succession. Final scores: Les Lions II 9; Enigma 7.
Earlier in the day El Remanso hammered Salkeld 16 – 8 at Trippetts.