Sumaya beat EFG Bank Aravali in British Open quarters
By Herbert Spencer
Ahmad Aboughazale’s Sumaya defeated Karan Thapar’s EFG Bank Aravali 13-11 Sunday to earn a place in the semi-finals of the British Open Championship for the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup at Cowdray Park Polo Club.
Sumaya took an early lead in the opening chukka of this quarterfinal match, holding EFG Bank Aravali scoreless and going ahead 3-0 with goals by Facundo Sola, who went on to be Sumaya’s top scorer with nine points to his credit.
Scoring was equal in the second period as Sumaya kept the lead 5-2. By halftime Sumaya was ahead by four goals at 8-4.
EFG Bank Aravali outscored their opponents in the fourth chukka, with Sumaya’s only score coming from patron Aboughazale, leaving Sumaya ahead 9-7. Sumaya kept two points ahead for the rest of the game to win 13-11 at the final bell.
Marcos Di Paola was high scorer for EFG Bank Aravali with six points.
Meanwhile, in the day’s earlier quarterfinal match, the Hanburys’ El Remanso beat James Packer’s Ellerston 12-9 to advance to the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals of the British Open on Thursday, Sumaya will play Adrian Kirby’s Cortium and El Remanso will meet the Albwardy’s Dubai. The final of the championship will be played Sunday, 15 July.