Dubai walk all over Billingbear Park
By Antje Derks
Had I not known what Adolfo Cambiaso’s hat looked like, I’d never have guessed he was playing for Dubai against Billingbear Park until after half-time. Despite Dubai having a three goal lead over their rivals by the end of the third chukka, it was no thanks to Cambiaso. Christian Laprida and even Tariq Albwardy scored, the great man himself managed only to put a penalty wide. I will give him the benefit of the doubt; he is just back from injury.
Ruki Bailleau, who seems to have filled out somewhat this season, and JP Clarkin were the chief goal scores for Billingbear. In fact the goal JP scored just before the bell in the third chukka was probably the best goal I have seen all season. He stole the ball from under his opponent’s noses and had an unchallenged run to goal. It seemed effortless, elegant and very skilful.
After almost falling off at the start of the fourth chukka, Adolfo Cambiaso finally came alive! He completely dominated the next three chukkas, slamming in goal after goal, either from the field or from the penalty spot. Billingbear tried to come back, JP Clarkin scored just before the end of the fifth chukka. Cambiaso and Laprida played beautiful polo in the sixth chukka, to win the game for Dubai 16 – 10.
In the second match of the day, Lechuza Caracas defeated Zacara 12-11 in extra time, with a golden goal by Juan Carlos Harriett