On Wednesday July 5, Dubai beat Park Place Vaara 12-10, in what was their third consecutive victory that secured them a spot in the next stage of the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup, hosted by Cowdray Park Polo Club, set in Midhurst, West Sussex England. The double matchdate commenced with another remarkable win by Green Gates, the biggest surprise of the competition, against Twelve Oaks.
Noor Khadra’s Green Gates, who are making a fantastic debut within the prestigious tournament, claimed a 14-11 win against Twelve Oaks, in a match that had two very different parts. The first half was dominated by Charlie Wooldridge’s lineup. Green Gates slowly came from behind, until they were able to take the lead in the two last chukkas, widening their gap, to finally win 14-11. It is worth noting the remarkable performances by Francisco Elizalde and Isidro Strada, the latter named MVP of the match. Between the two of them, they produced thirteen goals for the winners.
Up next, Dubai took their third consecutive win after defeating Park Place Vaara 12-10. The win secured them a spot in the tournament’s next stage. Following a very leveled first chukka, Rashid Albwardy and Co. took off in the second chukka, widening their advantage thoroghout the remaining of the game until they reached a four goal advantage in the penultimate chukka (11-7). And despite Park Place Vaara outscored them 3-1 in the last episode, the efforts didn’t pay off.
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, Wednesday July 5:
MATCH#1: GREEN GATES 14-11 TWELVE OAKS (Ambersham, field 3)
GREEN GATES: Noor Khadra 1, César Crespo 6 (1 goal), Francisco Elizalde 8 (8), Isidro Strada 7 (5).
TWELVE OAKS: Charlie Wooldridge 2 (2 goals), Magoo Laprida 8 (1), Vizcacha Mac Donough 5 (1), Joaquin Pittaluga 7 (7).
Score Green Gates: 0-2, 3-4,5-8, 8-9, 13-9, 14-11.
Umpires: Jason Dixon & Ben Turner. Third man: Tim Bown.
MVP: Isidro Strada.
MATCH #2: DUBAI 12-10 PARK PLACE VAARA (Lawns, field 2)
DUBAI: Camilo Castagnola 10 (8 goals), Rashid Albwardy 2, Beltrán Laulhé 3, Rufino Bensadon 7 (4). Total: 22.
PARK PLACE VAARA: Varvara Borodina 0 (1 goal), Mín Podestá 7, Hilario Ulloa 10 (7), Santos Merlos 5 (2).
Score Dubai: 3-2, 6-3, 7-3, 9-5, 11-7, 12-10.
Umpires: Peter Wright & Henry Fisher. Third man Howard Smith.
MVP: Rufino Bensadon.
Action for the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup will be back on Thursday July 6, as follows:
12pm: Park Place vs. Black Bears
3pm: UAE Polo vs. Monterosso
BRITISH OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE COWDRAY GOLD CUP: Fixture & Teams