King Power, Monterosso and Park Place Vaara earned wins in a new matchdate for the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup, that took place on Sunday July 9, hosted by Cowdray Park Polo Club. Both Monterosso and Park Place Vaara claimed the first win within the competition; and the former defeated no less than reigning champions, Park Place.
The busy Sunday started at Manor Farm, with the match between King Power and UAE Polo, with Kayley María Smith subbing in for Sheikha Maitha. Following a very balanced start, King Power took off in the fourth chukka, and by the end of the penultimate chukka, they had a 12-9 lead. However, UAE Polo managed to outscore their opponents 2-0, but efforts didn’t pay off, and at the end of the day, King Power earned a narrow 12-11 victory.
In the follow-up, Monterosso, who lost their three previous games, claimed their first win, against no less than current title holders, Park Place, by an impressive 15-7 score. To everybody’s surprise, Monterosso, led by their flagship man, Cubi Toccalino, who produced nine goals, remain in the lead thoroghout the six chukkas of play, despite Park Place had an early 2-0 advantage in the first chukka, with two goals courtesy of Facundo Pieres. But Park Place was overwhelmed by Monterosso’s powerful performance; Park Place scored their seventh and last goal in the fourth chukka. In another issues, the contest had some lineup changes. Luis Aznar subbed in for Monterosso’s Alessandro Bazzoini; with regards to Park Place, Felix Esain filled in for Matt Perry and Gonzalo Deltour had to replace James Harper, at the start of the fifth chukka. It is worth to note that the Argentine Ambassador Cup was persented to the winners, as a tribute to Argentina Independence Day, July 9.
Last but not least, Park Place Vaara claimed their first win within the tournament, by beating Twelve Oaks by a 9-8 score. Twelve Oaks had a much better start (they closed the second chukka with a comfortable 4-1 lead), but Park Place Vaara managed to tie at 4-all by half time. From the fourth chukka onwards, both teams presented a hard fought battle, which finished with a win for Varvara Borodina´s foursome, that featured Hilario Ulloa’s extraordinary skills, the man who scored eight goals.
The final of the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup is due on Sunday July 23.
THE 2023 BRITISH OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE COWDRAY GOLD CUP IS STREAMED LIVE ON COWDRAY TV, WITH THE PRODUCTION OF POLOLINE HERE.
British Open, Sunday July 9
KING POWER 12-11 UAE Polo (Manor Farm)
KING POWER*: Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha 1, Manuel Elizalde 6 (1 goal), Nicolás Pieres 9 (4), Jerónimo del Carril 7 (6). Total: 22.
UAE POLO: Kayley Smith 0, Lukin Monteverde 6 (3 goles), Barto Castagnola 9 (4), Tommy Beresford 7 (4). Total: 22.
*1 goal on Penalty 1.
Score King Power: 1-1, 2-4, 5-5. 9-7, 12-9, 12-11.
MVP: Jerónimo del Carril.
MONTEROSSO 15-7 PARK PLACE (Laws field 1) – Argentine Ambassador Cup
MONTEROSSO: Luis Aznar 1 (1 goal), Ignacio Toccalino 7 (9 goles), Lucas Criado Jr. 6 (3), David Stirling 8 (2). Total: 22.
PARK PLACE: Andrey Borodin 0, Félix Esaín 5 (1 gol), Facundo Pieres 10 (6), James Harper 7*. Total: 22.
*Subbed in by Gonzalo Deltour 6, at the start of the fifth chukka.
Score Monterosso: 3-2, 5-3, 7-6, 9-7, 13-7, 15-7.
MVP: Cubi Toccalino.
PARK PLACE VAARA 9-8 TWELVE OAKS (Lawns field 2)
PARK PLACE VAARA: Varvara Borodina 0, Mín Podestá 7 (1 goal), Hilario Ulloa 10 (8), Santos Merlos 5. Total: 22.
TWELVE OAKS: Charlie Wooldridge 2 (1 goal), Magoo Laprida 8 (1), Vizcacha Mac Donough 5 (1), Joaquin Pittaluga 7 (5). Total: 22.
Score Park Place Vaara:0-2, 1-4, 4-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-8.
MVP: Hilario Ulloa.
The British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup will resume on Monday July 10, with the clash between Scone and Marqués de Riscal, at 3pm, at Trippetts.
BRITISH OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE COWDRAY GOLD CUP: Fixture & Teams