Dubai Polo Team 16 – 12 Thai Polo NP Coworth Park 1
La Magdeleine 14 – 11 Clinova Prince’s Ground
Looking to keep their early momentum flowing following a win against La Magdeleine, Dubai Polo Team was back in action in the Cartier Queen’s Cup at Coworth Park 1 against Thai Polo NP. Leading his team in scoring, Camilo Castagnola was quick to get Dubai on the scoreboard with two penalty conversions from the 30-yard line. A battle from the penalty line emerged as Thai Polo NP’s Ned Hine answered Castagnola’s success with two conversions of his own, followed by goals from brother Louis and Ignacio Negri. Accounting for five of Dubai’s first half goals, including four from the penalty line, the strong play of Castagnola saw Dubai take a narrow, one-goal lead going into the half-time break. In a match which saw 25 fouls between the two teams, Castagnola and Ned Hine once again traded conversions in the fourth chukka, with a drive from Matt Perry breaking the stalemate to keep Dubai ahead 10-8. In arguably the most defining moment of the match, Castagnola found some space to score three consecutive goals and put Dubai ahead by five. Despite a late push from Ned Hine with three goals in the final chukka, Castagnola finished his day with an astounding 11 goals, moving into second in tournament scoring and ensuring Dubai Polo Team remain undefeated, winning this match 16-12.
Last playing in the Cartier Queen’s Cup in 2018, Clinova returned to the high-goal stage with a 2022 debut on the Prince’s Ground. The team had changed from the published line up, with six-goal, American player Jared Zenni, making his Queen’s Cup debut and young Englishman Luke Wiles (4 goals) teaming up with Alejandro Muzzio and Malcolm Borwick. Their opponents this afternoon were a determined La Magdeleine team led by Pablo MacDonough. Searching for their first win of the tournament, La Magdeleine took an early lead after first chukka foul trouble for Clinova resulted in three penalty conversions for MacDonough. Responding for Clinova, a combined effort from Muzzio and Borwick kept the score tied at 3-all. With only 15 shots combined from the field in the first half of play, the success of both teams from the penalty line defined play, as Borwick’s five first half conversions pushed Clinova ahead by one, leading 8-7 at half-time. After nearly three minutes of goaless play to begin the second half, an exceptional knock-in for La Magdeleine sprung Ollie Cudmore on the breakaway to tie the match. Quickly adding two more to their tally, La Magdeleine surged ahead, but this closely contested match carried into the final chukka. Borwick opened the scoring for Clinova in the final chukka to bring the game level for the seventh time. Extra time now seemed likely. However, La Magdeleine turned to tournament-scoring leader Pablo MacDonough, who completed two crucial penalty conversions to secure a hard-fought 14-11 victory.
Tomorrow’s Fixtures – Saturday May 21
11:30 am – King Power vs Twelve Oaks at Noel Farm – SL6 2NW
3:30 pm – Monterosso vs UAE Polo Team at TBC
All games are being livestreamed by Guards TV in association with Polocam TV. Go to https://guards.polocam.tv/package
