Twelve Oaks 12 – 10 King Power Noel Farm
UAE Polo Team 12 – 10 Monterosso Castle Ground- Flemish Farm
Twelve Oaks and King Power found themselves locked in a closely contested battle with the score remaining within one goal in all but the final chukka. Trading goals early in the match, King Power’s James Harper struck from the field, while Joaquin Pittaluga and Charlie Wooldridge combined to post two goals for Twelve Oaks. Despite being outshot by their opponents in open play, Twelve Oaks’s 57% shooting accuracy and consecutive goals from Cristian Laprida sent them into the half-time break with a narrow one-goal advantage. Continuing his strong play from the first half, Laprida opened the second half scoring on a good counterattack, with Pittaluga passing the ball forward for the goal. Fighting back into the game with an exceptional passing attack, King Power controlled the fifth chukka with two assisted goals and two penalty conversions to retake the lead and enter the final chukka ahead by one. Trailing by one with two minutes remaining, Charlie Wooldridge made his impact on the match, collecting his second assist of the chukka on a pass to Pittaluga that put Twelve Oaks ahead and they held off King Power in the final moments to claim their first victory 12-10.
The reigning Cartier Queen’s Cup champions UAE Polo Team made their long-awaited debut on The Duke’s Ground at Guards Polo Club without the services of young Lucas Monteverde Jnr, who was replaced by Juan Ambroggio. Poroto Cambiaso was playing once again for Monterosso too. Wasting little time, UAE Polo Team quickly established their early dominance, blanking Monterosso in the first chukka while Tomas Beresford and Bartolome Castagnola Jnr ignited an attack for a 2-0 lead. Awarded one goal on handicap, Monterosso ended their scoring drought when Matias Gonzalez hit the posts on a drive from the field and this kickstarted a run of four unanswered goals to race into the lead. Limited to just one more goal from Tomas Beresford in the remainder of the half, Monterosso was firing on all cylinders and headed into the half-time break with a 7-4. Regrouping during the break, UAE Polo Team’s Tommy Beresford delivered five penalty conversions in a six-goal fourth chukka that quickly turned a three-goal deficit into a three-goal lead. Fixing their foul troubles, Monterosso slowly worked their way back into the game behind the duo of Ignacio Toccalino and Cambiaso, but UAE’s advantage allowed them to withstand this late push from Monterosso and register a successful debut with a 12-10 win. This victory also ensured that the UAE team won the Royal Windsor Horse Show Cup, traditionally played on the first weekend of the Cartier Queen’s Cup tournament.
Tomorrow’s Fixtures
11:30 am – Murus Sanctus vs Park Place at The Castle Ground- Flemish Farm
3:30 pm – Great Oaks LL vs Vikings at The Queen’s Ground
All games are being livestreamed by Guards TV in association with Polocam TV. Go to https://guards.polocam.tv/package
