Azzurra victorious over Habtoor thanks to the Heguy brothers.
By Antje Derks
It was a glorious summer afternoon at Guards Polo Club, the Queen’s Ground looked a picture and the going, in racing terms, was good to firm. I expected the match between Azzurra and Habtoor to be a close run thing, but at one point it looked like Azzurra were going to walk away with the Kerry Packer Trophy, part of the Harcourt Queen’s Cup, after opening up a seven goal lead.
It was in the third chukka, that Bautista and Marcos Heguy were unstoppable, but they wouldn’t have been nearly as successful at breaking free and scoring, had George Meyrick not fought like a tiger. George is worth every one of his four goals, taking his man and making several superb clearances and passes that allowed the Heguy duo to score. By half-time Azzurra were 7 -3 in front, a lead that increased to 10 – 4 at the end of the fourth chukka.
The fifth chukka saw Habtoor come out fighting. Piki Alberdi and Nacho Gonzalez between them managed to make all the play, ending the chukka just three goals adrift of Azzurra. In the end though, the sixth chukka was a volley of whistles and missed penalties, despite a last-minute conversion by Nacho for Habtoor. The final score: Azzurra 11, Habtoor 9.
Three further Harcourt Queen’s Cup matches took place yesterday, Sunday. La Bamba beat El Remanso 10 – 8, while down at Cowdray Sumaya defeated Ravensbourne 15 – 14 and at Trippetts Apes Hill defeated Loro Piana 14-13.