Great Oaks Les Lions and UAE qualified to the semifinals of the Gold Cup for the British Open, after the two first quarter final matches that took place on Saturday July 17. The championship, hosted by Cowdray Park Polo Club, in Midhurst, West Sussex, is recognised as one of the three Grand Slams of Polo, alongside the Argentine Open and the US Open. This year’s tournament sees thirteen teams, up to 22 goals, compete.
Great Oaks Les Lions earned the first ticket to semifinals following a 14-7 win over Murus Sanctus. Although it was quite a balanced contest until half time, the second part belonged to Dillon Bacon’s foursome, who had no trouble at all to seize the reins and dominate their contenders. Up next, UAE had a stronger start, until Park Place managed to tie at 5-all in the third chukka. But from the fourth chukka onwards, HH Sheikha Maitha and her boys re-took the lead, widening their advantage in order to take an impressive 15-9 victory to secure the second spot in semifinals.
Therefore, Great Oaks Les Lions and UAE will battle to determine the first finalist on Wednesday July 21.
The quarter final games of the Gold Cup for the British Open will resume on Sunday July 18, as follows:
12pm: Scone vs. Monterosso, the winner will cliam the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Trophy. (Lawns Ground 2)
3pm: Thai Polo vs. King Power (Lawns Ground 1)
The Gold Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 25.
GOLD CUP FOR THE BRITISH OPEN – SUMMARY SATURDAY JULY 17
GREAT OAKS LES LIONS 14-7 MURUS SANCTUS
Great Oaks Les Lions: Guillermo Terrera 7, Dillon Bacon 2, Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 9, Cruz Heguy 4. Total: 22.
Murus Sanctus: Corinne Ricard 0, Matt Perry 5, Guillermo Caset 9, Facundo Sola 8. Total: 22.
Score Great Oaks Les Lions: 1-1, 3-4, 6-4, 10-4, 13-4, 14-7.
Umpires: Julian Appleby & Jason Dixon.
Third Man: Tim Brown.
BPP UK: Riddle, ridden by Guillermo Terrera.
UAE 13-9 PARK PLACE
UAE: HH Sheikha Maitha 0, Tomás Panelo 6, Pablo Pieres 9, Tomás Beresford 7. Total: 22.
Park Place: Andrey Borodin 0, Juan Britos 8, Facundo Pieres 10, Will Harper 4. Total: 22.
Score UAE: 1-2, 4-2, 5-5, 9-5, 11-8, 13-9.
Umpires: Peter Wright & Tim Brown.
Third Man: Julian Appleby.
BPP UK: JB Bleach, ridden by Polito Pieres.