UAE and Scone claimed victories on the opening day of the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup. Hosted by Cowdray Park Polo Club since 1956, the tournament is one of the highlights of the British season. It is also one of the three Grand Slams of Polo, alongside the Argentine Open and the US Open. This year’s tournament sees fourteen teams, up to 22 goals, compete for the coveted golden trophy.

In the first match, UAE managed to dominate King Power in the first four chukkas of play. King Power were five goals behind in the fifth, but Top Srivaddhanaprabha’s team managed to make a comeback, closing the gap down to just one goal (7-8). However, a determined UAE, who had failed to score in two chukkas, converted a couple of goals in the sixth to claim the 10-8 win.

A similar situation occurred in the next match. Scone got off to a good start over Monterosso, and by the end of the fourth chukka, David Paradice’s team had reached a commanding 11-7 lead over Alessandro Bazzoni’s organization. The last chukkas were very hard fought, with consecutive ties (11-11 and 13-13), and ultimately, the match was forced into extra chukka. Poroto Cambiaso was the one to sec Scone’s 14-13 victory by scoring his ninth goal of the game.

BRITISH OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE COWDRAY GOLD CUP – TUESDAY, JUNE 21:

UAE 10-8 KING POWER

UAE: HH Sheikha Maitha 0 (1 goal), Lukin Monteverde 6 (2 goles), Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 9 (3), Tomás Beresford 7 (4). Total: 22

King Power: Top Srivaddhanaprabha 1 (2 goals), James Harper 7 (1), Nicolás Pieres 9 (5), Mackenzie Weisz 5. Total: 22

Socre UAE: 3-1, 5-2, 6-2, 8-3, 8-7, 10-8.

Umpires: Jason Dixon & Julian Appleby.

Third man: Ben Turner.

SCONE 14-13 MONTEROSSO (OT)

Scone: David Paradice 0, Rosendo Torreguitar 4 (2 goals), Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (3), Poroto Cambiaso 8 (9). Total: 22.

Monterosso: Alessandro Bazzoni 1, Ignacio Toccalino 8 (6 goals), Pablo MacDonough 9 (6), Matías Gonzalez 4 (1). Total: 22.

Score Scone: 3-1, 4-2, 7-4, 10-7, 11-11, 13-13, 14-13.

Umpires: Peter Wright & Tim Bown.

Third mane: Howard Smith.

The British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup resumes on Wednesday June 22, with with games:

12pm: Park Place Vaara vs. Vikings

3pm: Dubai vs. Murus Sanctus

The final of the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup is set to be played on Sunday, July 17. 

British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup – Fixture & Teams

IMAGES:

British Open Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup, Day 1