The Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup for the 2015 British Open Championships at Cowdray Park Polo Club – Day 8
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
12:00PM Zacara 10 v 7 VPS Healthcare Sifani Group A/B – Ambersham 2
It was a different Zacara team who lined up for the throw in at Ambersham 2 for a game they needed to win (having lost their first to Salkeld and won their second on Sunday). Wearing the distinctive Z on their black team shirts, patron Lyndon Lea (at 2) and ten goal Juan Martin Nero (at 4) were joined by the colourful hat of three goal Juan Cruz Merlos (at 3) and eight goal Facu Sola (at 1). Distinct against the grass with their orange saddle pads and bandages were their opposition – VPS Healthcare Sifani (Hilali Noordeen, Max Charlton, Agustin Merlos and Malcolm Borwick – yet to win a match in the 2015 Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup.
Humidity and an air of anticipation hung over Zacara’s third league game, which now meant nephew faced uncle (Juan Cruz Merlos – Zacara and Tincho Merlos – VPS Healthcare Sifani), despite some attempts at goal it was a penalty in favour of Sifani that saw the white shirted side with the first goal. It was all the twos on the board at the start of the second chukka, rising to four all at the end of chukka two with lots of shouting in chukka three by half time it was five goals each.
Against a backdrop of a helicopter waiting for its post-match passenger at the far end, goals continued to be scored as the flashes of black and orange darted from end to end and Zacara’s lead increased to 9 v 5 in chukka five, with more penalties being taken by them than given away (as in previous games). Play seemed to be flowing between Facu Sola and Juan Martin Nero as the game progressed, with seventeen year old Juan Cruz Merlos coming into his own in the latter part of the match. Chukka six and play was briefly paused as Tincho Merlos dropped his stick and clutched his arm, then Zacara reached double figures on the board at 10 – 6 VPS Healthcare Sifani. With both teams finding a further goal, as spots of rain began to fall from the heavy sky at the final bell Zacara left the pitch the winners of their second match – Zacara 10 v 7 VPS Healthcare Sifani.
2:00PM El Remanso 11 v 9 Salkeld Group A/B – Brooksfield
A multitude of English players took to the Brooksfield pitch next with George and Charlie Hanbury and Ollie Cudmore joined by ten goal Pelon Stirling, and Nick Clarke and Luke Tomlinson alongside Inaki Laprida (sub for Juan Gris Zavaleta) and Joaquin Pittaluga. Goals all seemed to be going the El Remanso way as they finished the first chukka with three and Salkeld yet to find the goal posts.
Finding their fourth goal, the patron brothers in the bright hats and their team mates seemed determined to obtain a good lead in the match, with Nick Clarke’s Salkeld not seeming quite the same team who managed to win against Zacara in their opening game as they reached half time it was El Remanso 7 v 2 Salkeld.
In the second half it looked like looked like Salkeld were set to narrow the gap as they found several more goals, however El Remanso were not prepared to lose their lead (or their third win of the league stage), despite goals from both sides in chukka six and Salkeld managing to get within one goal of the El Remanso side, 9-8 quickly became 10 v 8, then 10 v 9 turned to El Remanso 11 v 9 Salkeld to end the game.
Matches on Friday 3rd July
11:00AM Apes Hill- v -La Indiana Group A/B – L2
1:00PM King Power Foxes- v -Talandracas Group A/B – L1