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Polo Open de France in Chantilly Sainte Mesme I stays undefeated (on last Saturday)
The “Boxing Day*” kept all of its promises: three games and three great moments of polo in complete different scenarios. After one week at the Open de France, one team remains indefeated, Sainte Mesme I, “but there is still a long way to go”, says the exceptional n°3 of this team, the French Clément Delfosse. Sainte-Mesme II – Ganthoot: catchy French If the beginning of the game seemed unbalanced after a 3-0 in favor of the Emirates’s team smoothly conducted by the European n°1, British Luke Tomlinson, Sainte-Mesme II young French never let go to draw level to 8-8 in the last period although they have been lead up to 7-3. Admittedly, Luke Tomlinson has done an excellent game both in attack and defense where he has spectacularly stopped in midair a 40 yards penalty of Pierre Henri Ngoumou. This same Tomlinson who gave the final blow to the French (and Argentin Mariano Uranga) by scoring a final penalty: 9-8 and second victory for Ganthoot who stays one of the favorites of this 15th Open de France. Sainte Mesme I – Golden Goose Deluxe: a golaso by Clément Delfosse to conclude. Same starting scenario during the next game where the solid defense of Birger Strom’s Sainte Mesme I played its unbeaten side against Ian Gallienne’s team, where the “hinge” Juan Ambroggio – Christian Bernal worked particularly well. The engaging Sainte Mesme draw level to 7-7, to tackle the 5th and last period. A chukker masterly attacked by the French with a goal after a wild ride from one end to the other of the field signed Clément Delfosse immediately supported by a goal from Brieuc Rigaux who concluded a collective action. But Golden Goose scored instantly (9-8) and were given a 40 yards penalty that threatened to draw in the teams. Juan Ambroggio’s shot went crashing to the right post that allowed Robert Strom to revive his team. An action concluded by Clément Delfosse with a long goal under the neck worthy of Palermo. (10-8). Tom Tailor – Marquard Media: a weird Switzerland – Germany An unusual scenario for the game between the team of German captain Uwe Schröder and the one of the Swiss boss Tommy Rinderknecht. Actually, there were two games in one. One for the first two chukkers, where the exceptional South-African Chris McKenzie were the shadow of himself, and won 11 to 2 by Marquard Media. A scoreline that could explain a certain relaxation of the Swiss, but not to the point of scoring only two goals during the last three periods, “lost” 8 to 2 with, fortunately, a final victory ensured: 13-3! On Sunday, three games were played. The return of defending champion La Quinta (against Golden Goose Deluxe at 1:30 p.m.), an amazing game between Sainte Mesme I and Marquard Media (4:00pm) while Sainte Mesme II attempted to snatch its first victory over Tom Tailor (5:30 p.m. ). Stay tuned for the next information! |