The Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup for the 2015 British Open Championships at Cowdray Park Polo Club – Day 12
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
2:00PM Apes Hill 11 v 10 VPS Healthcare Sifani Group A/B – Brooksfield
Riding onto Brooksfield at 2pm were two recently selected members of the England team set to face South America together at the upcoming Royal Salute Coronation Cup at Guards on Saturday 25th July. For this match however they were on opposing sides – Max Charlton – team VPS Healthcare Sifani (Hilali Noordeen, Malcom Borwick and Tincho Merlos) and Mark Tomlinson – Apes Hill (Ralph Richardson, Eduardo Novillo Astrada and Tom Morley). With Dubai having secured their fourth win of the tournament on Sunday, Apes Hill were keen to join them (previously winning 11-10 Talandracas; 8-6 Salkeld and 10-11 La Indiana), however they faced a VPS Healthcare Sifani side who were equally as keen to secure their first win in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup, having lost their previous games (12-15 El Remanso; 19-8 King Power Foxes and 7-10 Zacara).
Goals scored were equalised by both teams in the opening first half of play, from 2 all in chukka one, to 3 all in chukka 2 and finally at the half time bell the teams were drawn at 4 all. A goal from Mark Tomlinson put the Apes Hill side ahead in chukka four, and with two more from him in quick succession in chukka five, despite some equally quick responses from the VPS Healthcare Sifani side, they still entered the final chukka with 7 goals to Apes Hill’s 9. It all came down to one goal difference in the end, with Apes Hill retaining their lead throughout the second half they rode off the pitch with a fourth league match win 11-10 VPS Healthcare Sifani.
Upcoming matches:
Tuesday 7th July
2:00PM King Power Foxes v Salkeld Group A/B– L2
4:00PM El Remanso v Talandracas Group A/B – L1
Wednesday 8th July
12:00PM King Power- v -RH Polo Group C
3:00PM Zacara- v -La Indiana Group A/B
3:00PM Thai Polo- v -UAE Group C
Thursday 9th July
11:00AM Penalty Shootout