Park Place 15 – 9 Vikings The Castle Ground – Flemish Farm
Scone Polo 13 – 12 Murus Sanctus The Princes’ Ground
Challenging for a place at the top of League Three, Park Place and Vikings met on the Castle Ground at Flemish Farm to open play on day nine of the Cartier Queen’s Cup. Asserting early dominance in the match, Park Place raced out to a 4-0 lead, led by three goals from Facundo Pieres and a quick passing attack that resulted in two of their three field goals coming from a pass to goal. Diego Cavanagh provided a response for Vikings, accounting for all three of their goals in the opening half, but Park Place continued to play at a lightning pace, scoring four goals for the second consecutive chukka. Francisco Elizalde provided the second part of the elite duo with Pieres for Park Place as they combined for seven first half goals. Despite a yellow card to Keelan McCarthy, Park Place carried on, holding a significant 9-3 lead at the half-time break. Igniting their attack through defense, Vikings held Park Place scoreless in the fourth chukka, while Juan Martin Zubia converted two penalties and a field goal to instantly cut the deficit in half. Adding another penalty conversion for his fourth unanswered goal, Vikings seemingly held the momentum, but Park Place reorganised and would score six of the next seven goals to separate themselves once again. Pieres finished with a game-high seven goals to ensure Park Place’s 15-9 victory today and sets up a thrilling encounter with Scone Polo on Sunday afternoon.
Looking to join Park Place with a 2-0 record, Scone Polo returned to competition after a week off and faced a tough Murus Sanctus team in search of their first win. Featuring a new line-up with Jose Araya and Beltran Laulhe, Murus Sanctus produced a quick start, receiving one goal each from the new additions to hold a narrow 3-2 lead. Following up teammate Facundo Sola on a run to goal, Laulhe added a second tally in the second chukka to help Murus Sanctus stay one goal ahead. This effort would kickstart a run for Murus Sanctus as Sola’s exceptional play resulted in five goals before half-time. Withstanding the early pressure, Scone Polo rotated effectively to receive contributions from all four players as part of a three-goal third chukka, but Murus Sanctus remained in control, leading 9-6 through three chukkas. Playing his second game in as many days, Poroto Cambiaso singlehandedly brought Scone Polo back into the game. Scoring four goals, two each from the penalty line and the field, Cambiaso pushed forward while they kept Murus Sanctus scoreless to take their first lead since the opening chukka. Exchanging goals in a closely marked fifth chukka left the difference unchanged as Scone Polo tried to hold off the late charge from Murus Sanctus. Coming through in the high-pressure situation, Scone Polo’s Rosendo Torreguitar converted both shot attempts in the sixth chukka, the second of which proved to be the game-winning goal in Scone Polo’13-12 triumph.
Friday’s Fixtures
11:30 am – Dubai Polo Team vs Park Place Vaara on The Castle Ground- Flemish Farm
5.30pm – Clinova vs Thai Polo NP on The Queen’s Ground
All games are being livestreamed by Guards TV in association with Polocam TV. Go to https://guards.polocam.tv/package
