Murus Sanctus Complete Comeback in Victory Over RH Polo
The seventh day of the 2018 King Power Gold Cup saw Murus Sanctus score the final four goals of the game to defeat RH Polo 10-9 at Cowdray Park Polo Club.
In a game where both teams created plenty of goal scoring opportunities, neither were able to capitalize and fully separate themselves from their opponent. RH Polo’s combination of Rodrigo Andrade and Sapo Caset scored 4 goals apiece, as they provided difficulties for Murus Sanctus in the game, but their inaccuracy around goal impacted the outcome of the game. Shooting just 6 for 20 from the field, RH Polo found themselves conceding their three-goal lead late due to foul trouble. The skill of Gonzalito Pieres in a perfect 5 for 5 performance from the penalty line and a total of eight goals in the game proved to be the difference.
In the early stages of the game, RH Polo were active in the attack to gain the 3-2 advantage but were unable to increase their lead further despite outshooting Murus Sanctus by four shots in the opening two chukkas. The pace slowed in the third chukka with the teams combining for five fouls in a back and forth chukka that saw two penalty conversions for both Caset and Pieres. Winning six throw-ins each, RH Polo were able to better utilize their possessions, but three more missed shot attempts for RH Polo kept Murus Sanctus trailing by just one goal at halftime.
After the third consecutive chukka where the teams tied on the scoreboard, the fifth chukka saw RH Polo finally separate themselves from Murus Sanctus, by increasing their lead to three behind a goal each from Caset and Andade, while Murus Sanctus was kept off the scoresheet. Entering the final chukka, Murus Sanctus needed to find quick offense and were able to do so thanks to indiscipline from RH Polo. Two fouls resulted in two more penalty conversions for Pieres, with the second tying the game at nine with under one-minute remaining. The following throw-in saw Murus Sanctus drive downfield, with Pieres jumping on an RH Polo backhand to score his eighth goal of the game as time expired in an exciting conclusion to the hard fought contest.