Monterosso 10 – 8 Marques de Riscal The Queen’s Ground
UAE Polo Team 13 – 12 Twelve Oaks The Princes’ Gound
With three teams holding a 1-1 record in League Two of the Cartier Queen’s Cup as we started Wednesday’s matches, Monterosso faced a crucial game against Marques de Riscal as they challenge for a place in the quarter-finals. On the opening throw-in, Monterosso’s Ignacio Toccalino took the ball straight to goal, giving his team a 2-0 lead as they had started the match with one goal on handicap. Young Poroto Cambiaso, once again substituting for Pelon Stirling, made an early impact with a first chukka goal as Monterosso controlled the opening minutes to hold a 4-0 lead. Limited to just one field goal on six shots in the first half, the Marques de Riscal attack was stifled by a strong Monterosso defence. Scoring three of Monterosso’s final four goals of the first half, Cambiaso demonstrated why he is on his way to 10-goals, guiding Monterosso to a significant 8-2 lead at halftime. Exiting the break, Marques de Riscal brought their game to another level, scoring five consecutive goals, three from the field and two from the penalty line, to quickly pull within one-goal and instantly change the dynamic of the game. The momentum was now firmly in their favour. Guillermo Caset was instrumental to the run for Marques de Riscal, converting two penalties, while Alejandro Aznar was effective in the number one position, collecting two assists in the second half. However Monterosso’s sixth chukka goal, off the stick of Toccalino, was the only field goal they needed as it secured them a tense 10-8 victory.
Determined to capture their second consecutive victory of the tournament, Twelve Oaks produced a strong start against UAE Polo Team on The Princes’ Ground. Wasting little time, Charlie Wooldridge stepped into the spotlight off a pass from John-Paul Clarkin to open the scoring in a tightly played first chukka, but UAE Polo Team responded with a strong second chukka that gave them the lead. Two goals from Tomas Beresford, one each from the field and the penalty line, contributed to a three-goal run that pushed UAE Polo Team ahead. A game full of momentum, Twelve Oaks turned back to Wooldridge who continued his phenomenal play with two more goals to lead his team’s attack. The ball moving via the pass proved to be a successful strategy for Twelve Oaks as they finished the first half on a high, with one field goal each from Wooldridge, Cristian Laprida and Joaquin Pittaluga, to take a 7-4 lead against the defending Cartier Queen’s Cup champions. A different UAE Polo Team was seen in the fourth chukka as they accelerated forward to score three field goals on seven shots, more than they had throughout the entire first half. The key cog in their attack during this stretch was Barto Castagnola who added his first two goals of the game, plus an assist as the game became tied at 7-all with two chukkas remaining. It was evident that this match was going to come down to the final seconds as Twelve Oaks struck first in the fifth chukka scoring four goals, but again the momentum swung back in favour of the UAE team as HH Sheika Maitha left the ball for Juan Ambroggio to tie the game with two and a half minutes remaining. Under immense pressure, Beresford sent a Penalty 3 through the goal with just seconds remaining – not even enough time for a throw-in – to ensure the UAE Polo Team emerged victorious 13-12.
Thursday’s Fixtures
1:00 pm – Park Place vs Vikings at The Castle Ground- Flemish Farm
3:30 pm – Murus Sanctus vs Scone Polo at The Prince’s Ground
All games are being livestreamed by Guards TV in association with Polocam TV. Go to https://guards.polocam.tv/package
