The Queen’s Cup, one of the most prestigious polo tournaments in the world, resumed on Sunday with the last two quarterfinals matches. La Bamba de Areco claimed a win over Les Lions, while La Indiana defeated Emlor. La Indiana will fight for a place in the final for a third consecutive year.

The final of the Queen’s Cup is scheduled for Sunday, June 17th.

LA BAMBA DE ARECO 13-9 LES LIONS (at The Castle Ground, Flemish Farm) 

Jean Francois Decaux’s La Bamba de Areco led his team to victory in the third Cartier Queen’s Cup Quarter-Final game of the weekend. They comfortably defeated Max Gottschalk’s Les Lions 13-9 in a fairly one-sided game on the Castle Ground at Flemish Farm. Les Lions started the match strongly and were 2-1 up at the end of the first chukka, but this was the only time in the game that they were ahead. Three goals from La Bamba’s professionals, Byron Watson, David Stirling and Juan Martin Nero, showed this team’s intent. The latter players then went on to deliver a quartet of goals each to secure this team’s place in Wednesday’s semi-final. Joaquín Pittaluga did his best to keep Les Lions’ hopes alive, scoring six of his team’s goals, but La Bamba’s 8-4 advantage at half-time proved insurmountable.

La Bamba de Areco: Jean Francois Decaux 0 (1 goal), Byron Watson 3 (2), Pelon Stirling 9 (5), Juan Martín Nero 10 (5). Total: 22.

Les Lions: Guillermo Terrera 8 (1 goal), Jaime García Huidobro 7 (1), Joaquín Pittaluga 7 (6), Max Gottschalk 0 (1). Total: 22.

Score La Bamba de Areco: 1-2, 4-3, 8-4, 10-5, 12-7, 13-9.

Umpires: Jason Dixon and Peter Wright.

Referee: Julian Appleby.

LA INDIANA 12-6 EMLOR (at The Queen’s Ground)

La Indiana showed once again that what happened the last two seasons in England was not about luck. Michael Bickford’s team had appeared to struggle in some of their previous matches, but there was no doubt about their commitment this afternoon. They were 4-0 up at the end of the second and never looked back. Emlor got themselves back into the game in the fifth, closing the gap to 11-5 going into the sixth and final chukka. This is 22-goal polo and teams have come back from such a score-line in the past, but La Indiana were not taking any chances. Pieres flew to goal from the throw-in at the start of the sixth. Agustin Merlos converted a penalty late on, but it was too late to change the outcome of this game and it was Bickford that collected the Gerard Leigh Trophy from Col William Gerard Leigh’s grandson James. La Indiana will now play La Bamba de Areco at 4pm this Wednesday afternoon in the second semi-final.

La Indiana: Michael Bickford 1, Alec White 4 (4 goals), Nic Roldan 7 (1), Facundo Pieres 10 (7). Total: 22.

Emlor: Spencer McCarthy 0, Diego Cavanagh 8 (3 goals), Tincho Merlos 9 (3), Nacho González 5. Total: 22.

Score La Indiana: 2-0, 4-0, 8-1, 9-2, 11-5, 12-6.

Umpires: Tim Bown and Julian Appleby.

Referee: Jason Dixon.

The Queen’s Cup resumes on Wednesday with the semifinals:
12pm: Park Place vs Valiente
4pm: La Bamba de Areco vs La Indiana

ALL MATCHES WILL BE STREAMED LIVE ON POLOLINE TV.