La Magdeleine 9 – 8 Thai Polo NP Coworth Park 1
Clinova 10 – 9 Park Place Vaara Zacara
The final matches in League One ended in dramatic fashion, beginning with La Magdeleine facing Thai Polo NP at Coworth Park. After substituting in the King Power line-up, Pablo MacDonough was back in the saddle for La Magdeleine. However, it was Thai Polo NP who struck first after a long shot from the kickboards by Ignacio Negri found its way through the posts. Starting with one goal on handicap, Thai Polo NP maintained the lead throughout most of the second chukka until La Magdeleine scored on consecutive plays, including Ollie Cudmore jumping out of the throw-in and taking the ball straight to goal to tie the match at 3-3. Two missed penalties for Thai Polo NP to end the first half allowed La Magdeleine to take a slim one-goal lead (4-3) into the second half after MacDonough’s second goal of this match. Just 45 seconds into the second half, Ned Hine converted a Penalty 2, ending La Magdeleine’s run and swinging the momentum in Thai Polo NP’s favour. On a long shot from Cesar Crespo that was sailing wide, Negri stuck his mallet out, redirecting it for an incredible goal and restoring the one-goal lead for Thai Polo NP. That advantage remained into the sixth chukka until La Magdeleine’s MacDonough stepped into the spotlight. Scoring three unanswered goals, two from the penalty line and one from the field, MacDonough pushed his team ahead by two. Pulling within one with just over two minutes left, Thai Polo NP were unable to score the equaliser as their tournament ended in this 9-8 defeat, while La Magdeleine finish with a 2-2 record and hopes of qualifying for this weekend’s quarter-finals.
With a victory ensuring their place in the quarter-finals, 2-1 Park Place Vaara met 0-3 Clinova at Zacara in a match where the advantage swung between the two teams. Showcasing their relentless passing attack in the first two chukkas, Park Place Vaara dominated possession to keep Clinova pinned in their own half and build a significant lead. Scoring the first six goals of the game, Park Place Vaara received three goals and an assist from Hilario Ulloa, while Santos Merlos and Juan Britos were also impacting the scoreboard with accurate passes and finishes around goal. During this stretch, Clinova managed just one shot attempt, leaving a difficult task in overcoming a six-goal deficit. Needing a spark to finish the half, Clinova found one from Jared Zenni, who added a goal and an assist during a three-goal run to cut Park Place Vaara’s lead to four (7-3) at the half-time bell. Exiting the break looking like a different team, Clinova exploded for four unanswered goals led by the phenomenal play of Alejandro Muzzio. The 7-goaler converted both his shot attempts, while assisting on goals to Luke Wiles and Malcolm Borwick to instantly change the dynamic of the match, bringing the game level (7-7) against a stunned Park Place Vaara team. No whistles were blown in a quick fifth chukka as Park Place Vaara tried to regain control of the game but were unable to find the mark on any of their six shot attempts, setting up a thrilling sixth chukka. Muzzio’s third goal gave Clinova their first lead of the match at 8-7 as Park Place Vaara still had not scored in the second half, their usual high-powered attack going quiet. Borwick pushed the lead to two thanks to a penalty conversion, but Park Place Vaara regrouped and quickly brought the game back to even after young Joshua Hyde sent a Penalty 2 through the goal. Returning to the lineup with 45 seconds left in the game, Clinova won possession and Malcolm Borwick took it all the way to goal for Clinova’s first victory in this 10-9 triumph.
Tuesday’s Fixtures
12:00 pm – Marques de Riscal vs UAE Polo Team at Manor Farm
3:00 pm – Monterosso vs King Power at Noel Farm
All games are being livestreamed by Guards TV in association with Polocam TV. Go to https://guards.polocam.tv/package
