Great Oaks Les Lions and Park Place Vaara qualified for the Queen’s Cup final after claiming respective semifinal wins against Park Place and La Magdeleine on Wednesday June 8.
In the first semifinal, 2020 Queen’s Cup winners Great Oaks Les Lions, claimed an impressive 9-5 victory over Park Place. The loss was a big blow for Andrey Borodin’s lineup. Dillon Bacon’s team had a remarkable first half, overwhelming Park Place by securing a 4-1 lead by half time. They widened their advantage to 6-2 in the fourth. But Park Place came back in the fifth, outscoring their rivals 3-1. Great Oask Les Lions regained control in the last chukka, taking the win to secure a place in the tournament. It is worth highlighting, once again, Cruz Heguy’s extraordinary performance. The 18-year-old star (son of Eduardo “Ruso” Heguy, and grandson of the legendary Alberto Pedro Heguy), was named MVP after scoring six goals in the semifinal.
Next, Park Place Vaara, the second team in Andrey Borodin’s organisation – faced Alexandre Garese’s French lineup, La Magdelaine. Park Place Vaara got off to a better start, but La Magdeleine, led by the powerful Pablo Mac Donough, fought back until they were just trailing by one goal behind (4-5) by half time. Vaara got back in back in the game quickly, dominating the two following chukkas. By the start of the last, they had secured a four goal advantage. Determined not to give up, La Magdeleine made a comeback in that last period. They outscored their contenders 3-0, but the damage had been done. Park Place Vaara kept their lead to secure the victory and a place in the final.
QUEEN’S CUP – SEMIFINALS – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8
Hubert Perrodo Trophy
GREAT OAKS LES LIONS 9-5 PARK PLACE
Great Oaks Les Lions: Dillon Bacon 2, Cruz Heguy 5 (6 goals), James Beim 6 (1), Juan Martín Nero 9 (3). Total: 22.
Park Place: Andrey Borodin 0, William Harper 4*, Facundo Pieres 10 (4 goals), Francisco Elizalde 8 (1). Total: 22.
*Subbed in by Tomás Marin Moreno (4).
Score Great Oaks Les Lions: 2-0, 4-0, 4-1, 6-2, 7-5, 9-5.
Umpires: Howard Smith & Tim Bown.
Third man: Ben Turner.
BPP UK: Vasca Orgía (Vasca Frida x Dolfina Maradona), bred and owned by Eduardo Heguy, ridden by Cruz Heguy.
The Kerry Packer Trophy
PARK PLACE VAARA 10-9 LA MAGDELEINE
Park Place Vaara: Joshua Hyde 0 (3 goals), Santos Merlos 4, Hilario Ulloa 10 (6), Juan Britos 8 (1). Total: 22.
La Magdeleine: Alexandre Garese 0, Ollie Cudmore 6, Pablo MacDonough 9 (8 goals), Martín Podestá 7 (1). Total: 22.
Score Park Place Vaara: 2-0, 4-2, 5-4, 8-5, 10-6, 10-9.
Umpires: Peter Wright & Julian Appleby.
Third man: Ben Turner.
Great Oaks Les Lions and Park Place Vaara will play the Queen’s Cup final on Sunday, June 12, at 3,30pm, on The Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club.
The Queen’s Cup – Teams & Fixture
IMAGES:
Semifinal #1 – Great Oaks Les Lions vs. Park Place
Semifinal #2 – Park Place Vaara vs. La Magdeleine