It was a scorcher of a day in more ways than one at Cowdray Park Polo Club semi finals day on Wednesday 16th July. Red hot action on Lawns 1 saw 2 amazing semi finals matches take place on what is many spectators’ favourite day of the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup.
Match 1:
First up audiences were in for a treat as an exciting and seriously fast paced match had everyone on the edge of their picnic blankets. Kazak have powered through the tournament, defying expectations and reaching the semis after some seriously close matches and as such have become a fan favourite as they produce exciting polo. The teams were evenly matched throughout, the lead interchanging as possession swapped between the two attacking heavy sides. Kazak proved themselves to be a thoroughly well balanced team, the goals coming from each of the 3 professionals evenly.
A heroic 4-1 5th chukka put Kazak in the lead with an advantage that seemed insurmountable, but Poroto and his team proved once again that they can never be discounted and they made a great comeback, the audience hoping for the extra chukka but a rare missed penalty from Poroto allowed Kazak to hold onto their advantage and seal the win and their place as the first of the Gold Cup finalists.
Match 2:
The second match of the day was not quite as competitive, the La Dolfina/ Scone side dominating early in the match and making the Ferne Park boys work hard for every play. A lead of 6-1 after the second foreshadowed the end, but Ferne Park had some flashes of brilliance with resilient play from Joaquin Pittaluga who did his best to stem the flow of 6 goals off the stick of Adolfo Cambiaso, but the la Dolfina/ Scone foursome was too powerful. Mia Cambiaso, who has had a fantastic tournament so far, showed her power and accuracy with some nice running field goals when she wasn’t busy neutralising former 10 goaler and La Dolfina stalwart Pelon Stirling, taking him out of the play and leaving Ferne Park down a man.
Paco de Narvaez and Hugo Taylor both worked hard in midfield, taking their lead from Cambiaso they were disciplined in their positioning and as a result well placed to receieve passes and complete plays.
La Dolfina/ Scone advance to Sunday’s final to play Kazak in what will be a great match up of wildcard and established powerhouse.
Watch all Gold Cup matches here: https://cowdraypolo.co.uk/cowdray-tv/
Image credit Mark Beaumont
Stats provided by International Polo Academy