Dubai and Lechuza Caracas through to Harcourt Developments Queen’s Cup Semi Finals
By Antje Derks
The match between Dubai and Broncos looked to be a white-wash and a wash-out. Adolfo Cambiaso was back to his old, sparkling self, slotting in goal after goal. He really has put paid to any speculation about his form after having a disappointing season last year, with his performances in this competition. The weather on the other hand was appalling, torrential rain and treacherous going, with the field looking like a teenager with acne by the end of the first half.
All was going swimmingly for Dubai until the start of the fifth chukka. Adolfo Cambiaso had to be replaced, having again injured his riding muscle. By that stage they were leading the Broncos 11 – 4. Cambiaso had no choice but to sit the rest of the match out. He was replaced by a jeans wearing Juan Martin Nero.
Juan Martin Nero was available to replace Cambiaso, because although he had played in the tournament for Loro Piana, they have now been knocked out of the tournament. Broncos, who, until this sudden team change had looked half asleep and like they had never played together as a team before, suddenly woke up and started playing high-goal polo. Pablo MacDonough and Santiago Chavanne started to connect with the ball, converting opportunities and by the end of the fifth had closed the gap to 11 – 8.
Suddenly we had a battle on our hands. Dubai was obviously missing Cambiaso and when MacDonough scored again for Broncos at the start of the sixth things looked dodgy for Dubai. However, substitute Juan Martin Nero proved Dubai’s dominance by slamming in their winning 12th goal. Final score: Dubai 12, Broncos 9.
The match between Lechuza Caracas and Les Lions I was less dramatic, with Lechuza winning 13 – 9. Les Lions I had a fairly bad time of it, unable to recapture their form of earlier in the tournament.
Sumaya plays Habtoor at 3pm at Cowdray today and Apes Hill takes on La Bamba De Areco also at 3pm at Guards. The Semi Finals will be played on Wednesday.