Gold Cup - Day 1 - Hurlingham Polo

Action got underway at Cowdray Park Polo Club yesterday as the first two matches of the prestigious Gold Cup saw four teams take to the emerald grounds.

Match 1

First up it was Queen’s Cup winners Talandracas against Albwardy’s Desert Palm team and we were treated to some high stakes action straight away with the very first match going into overtime. If Talandracas were resting on their laurels, confident coming off a high with their Queen’s Cup win, Desert Palm certainly took advantage, coming out all guns blazing. It was close throughout, with Desert Palm heading into halftime with a 1 goal lead, but Talandracas were determined to keep their unbeaten record and pulled it back in the 4th. Things remained even until the final whistle, no hint of either side slowing up and it was 10-10 as the final whistle went after an epic belly shot goal from Hugues Carmignac to even the score and push them into overtime. A penalty in from Polito sealed the deal for Talandracas who maintain their unbeaten record and start their Gold Cup journey with a hard fought win.

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Talandracas won against Desert Palm Polo Team 6

Match 2

Next up was a slightly less to the wire match between two La Dolfina sides. La Dolfina Great Oaks took on La Dolfina Murus Sanctus taking an early 3 goal lead which they maintained throughout, even stretching it to 5 goals at half time. La Dolfina Murus Sanctus were unable to pull the score back despite plenty of scoring opportunities with La Dolfina Great Oaks conceding 13 penalties. But scoring 10 field goals just shows the on field power of the Great Oaks side, fine tuned after a season of playing the same roster with Poroto, Cavanagh and Kian Hall working well together and the Murus Sanctus side just testing their new line up, unable to stem the onslaught.

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Photo credit – Mark Beaumont