Vikings

Europe, Polo News

23. May 2022

Park Place 13 – 11 Murus Sanctus The Castle Ground- Flemish Farm
Great Oaks LL 14 – 9 Vikings The Queen’s Ground

The last team to make their 2022 debut in the Cartier Queen’s Cup, Park Place, led by 10-goaler Facundo Pieres, wasted no time getting out to an early 3-2 lead against Murus Sanctus on the Castle Ground at Flemish Farm. Scoring three consecutive goals from the trio of Pieres, Francisco Elizalde and Will Harper, Park Place’s high-powered attack carried through the rest of the first half. Murus Sanctus’s Marcos Araya contributed his second field goal to keep his team within one, but the relentless attack of Park Place allowed them to extend their lead at half-time (7-4). Exchanging penalty goals in the fourth chukka, a second yellow awarded to Alfredo Cappella sent him off for two minutes and allowed Park Place to extend their lead further, holding a commanding 13-8 lead with one chukka remaining. Despite denying their opponents from the scoreboard for the first time in the match, Murus Sanctus’ final effort fell just short and was not enough to overturn an eight-goal performance from Pieres in a 13-11 victory for Park Place.

The second match of Sunday’s doubleheader featured a match-up between Dillon Bacon’s Great Oaks LL, in search of their first victory, against Siri Evjemo-Nysveen’s Vikings who have already registered a win. Converting six penalty each, the difference ultimately came down to Great Oaks LL’s ability to succeed from the field. With little separating the two teams in the first chukka, Great Oaks LL turned to their duo of Bacon and Cruz Heguy, who combined for three goals to take their first lead of the match and exit the second chukka ahead 5-3. Held to just two shots in the entire first half, Vikings relied on the penalty shooting of Juan Martin Zubia, who took advantage of two yellows to Juan Martin Nero to add two penalty goals and keep Vikings within two, trailing 7-5 at half-time. With the pressure mounting in open play and Great Oaks LL pushing Vikings into their own half, the fourth chukka saw Great Oaks LL finally break through, dominating possession to score five goals, including three penalty conversions for Heguy. Facing a six-goal deficit, Vikings attempted to pull back within reach, but were unable to generate enough chances from the field, finishing with just three field goals on nine shots. Receiving two field goals from all four players, Great Oaks LL secured their first victory with the convincing 14-9 outcome to end this first week of play in the 2022 edition of the Cartier Queen’s Cup.

Tuesday’s Fixtures

12pm – La Magdeleine vs Park Place Vaara at TBC
3pm – Dubai Polo Team vs Clinova at TBC

All games are being livestreamed by Guards TV in association with Polocam TV. Go to https://guards.polocam.tv/package

Photos by IMAGES OF POLO

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Park Place 13 – 11 Murus Sanctus The Castle Ground- Flemish Farm Great Oaks LL 14 – 9 Vikings The Queen’s Ground The last team to make their 2022 debut…

Europe, Polo News

Cartier Queen’s Cup Day 3

20. May 2022

Scone Polo 10 – 9 Great Oaks LL Les Lions
Vikings 12 – 11 Murus Sanctus The Castle Ground- Flemish Farm

Scone Polo, finalists in this competition last year, made their 2022 debut today against Great Oaks LL at Les Lions. Substituting for Monterosso’s David Stirling on Wednesday, Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr (Poroto) was back on the field for Scone Polo. Kicking off their season without an injured Adolfo Cambiaso, a rearranged line-up of Guillermo Terrera, Kian Hall and Rosendo Torreguitar gave Scone Polo the early advantage with one goal on handicap. Responding to their one goal deficit, Great Oaks LL’s Cruz Heguy kick-started their attack with four first half goals, including three penalty conversions to give his team a two-goal lead at half-time. Scone Polo found their stride in the second half, with contributions from Terrera and Hall combining for four goals in the fourth chukka, along with Cambiaso’s third goal of the match to re-take an 8-5 lead. Following a sharp defensive performance from Scone Polo, Heguy took advantage of Scone Polo’s foul troubles to convert two more conversions from the 40-yard line to keep Great Oaks LL in contention. Matching each other stride-for stride with four goals in open play and three successful conversions each, a final drive from Cambiaso and the handicap differential made all the difference, with Scone Polo emerging victorious 10-9.

In the second match of the day, Murus Sanctus and Vikings made their 2022 Cartier Queen’s Cup debuts on the majestic Castle Ground at Flemish Farm. Finding early success from the penalty line, Viking’s Juan Martin Zubia was a perfect 4 for 4 at the penalty line in the first half to overcome a slow start in the field, with Vikings only managing two goals from Zubia and Mark Tomlinson on eight shots from open play. Relying on their early accuracy in the field to overcome their five fouls committed in the first half, Murus Sanctus’s trio of Marcos Araya, Facundo Sola and Alfredo Cappella combined for six goals, including two conversions from Sola as the two teams remained deadlocked, 6-6, at the break. Resuming play with grit and determination, goals from Araya and Cappella gave Murus Sanctus a three-goal advantage going into the later stages of the match. Turning the tables to claw back into the lead, Vikings’ Diego Cavanagh hit his first of the match in open play, as Zubia continued to take advantage of Murus Sanctus’s foul troubles. Sending a Penalty 4 through the goal posts, Zubia tied the game at 11-all with six minutes remaining as the two teams remained in a fierce battle until the final seconds. Inside the final minute, a Murus Sanctus foul sent Zubia to the penalty line where he converted his eighth penalty goal as time expired and a triumphant Vikings team captured a 12-11 win.

Tomorrow’s Fixtures – Friday 20 May

12:30 am – Dubai Polo Team vs Thai Polo NP at Coworth Park 1
3:30 pm – La Magdaleine vs Clinova at TBC

All games are being livestreamed by Guards TV in association with Polocam TV. Go to https://guards.polocam.tv/package

Photos by IMAGES OF POLO

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Scone Polo 10 – 9 Great Oaks LL Les Lions Vikings 12 – 11 Murus Sanctus The Castle Ground- Flemish Farm Scone Polo, finalists in this competition last year, made…

Europe, Polo News

Talacrest Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup, Day 1

6. August 2021

Vikings 11 – 10 Monterosso

The Vikings team started their Talacrest Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup campaign with a win, beating Monterosso in a tight game on the Castle Ground at Flemish Farm. Max Voelker was standing in for Vikings’ patron Siri Evjemo-Nysveen and was joined by Vikings’ regulars Chris Mackenzie, Sebastian Merlos and Juan Martin Zubia. Monterosso was fielding a different line-up to this Queen’s Cup, with Matt Perry and Facundo Sola coming into the team to play alongside Monterosso stalwart Ignacio “Cubi” Toccalino.

There was little air between these two teams for all six chukkas, with both squads eager to register a win on the opening day of this new 22-goal tournament. The Vikings had a narrow, 6-5 lead at half-time but this was still anyone’s game. Both Sebastian Merlos and Facundo Sola made the most of any opportunities when they were given space but their great efforts just cancelled each other out. It was also a fairly feisty game with several yellow cards and Cubi Toccalino being sent to the “sin bin” for two minutes in the closing minutes of the fourth chukka. Despite being a man down, Monterosso, who were trailing at this point 7-6, managed to level the scores with Sola successfully converting a penalty three.

Merlos started the fifth with lovely goal to put the Vikings ahead once more but the rest of this chukka belonged to Monterosso. They managed to put some air in the scoreline (10-8), with Cubi and Sola successfully converting penalties. Many might have thought this was the moment that Monterosso would pull away but the Vikings had written a different script. Juan Martin Zubia, who is always an impressive penalty taker, first converted a 30-yard penalty. Then some great team-work from Merlos, Zubia and Mackenzie enabled the Vikings to level the score again, 10-10. Then with 90 seconds left on the clock Zubia converted his second penalty of this chukka, a 60-yarder, to give the Vikings the edge. Despite some frantic play neither team could add to their tally and Vikings won the day.

This is the first time Guards Polo Club has hosted 22-goal tournament in August and the first game did not disappoint. Five, 22-goal teams have entered this new tournament in its inaugural year and it aims to deliver some top quality sport over the next 19 days. The tournament is sponsored by Talacrest, a classic Ferrari specialist owned by former high-goal player John Collins, and all matches are being filmed live at Guards TV.

Tomorrow: Bardon Polo Team v Park Place on The Queen’s Ground at 3.30pm.

Photos by IMAGES OF POLO

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Vikings 11 – 10 Monterosso The Vikings team started their Talacrest Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup campaign with a win, beating Monterosso in a tight game on the Castle…

Europe, Polo News

Cartier Queen’s Cup Day 14

16. June 2021

King Power 12 – 3 Schockemohle & UAE Polo ll 8 – 7 Vikings

King Power had everything to lose today and so they came out fighting from the first chukka. Schockemohle were already out of the tournament but a loss for King Power could have seen them in a battle with other teams on a two-win/two-loss score. So today they made sure there was no doubt. Hilario Ulloa and Fran Elizalde scored all the goals – eight for Hilario and four for Fran. In fact their goal scoring was beautifully consistent – two through the flags every chukka. Schockemohle again delivered some brilliant individual play but could not translate that into team-work and goals. King Power have been impressive with their four-man polo, with Top Srivaddhanaprabha invariably up front ready to receive a pass and today was no exception. They were ahead 6-2 at half-time and just gradually added to that tally until the final whistle.

The second game was more of a surprise as Siri Evjemo-Nysveen’s Vikings team have been impressive in this competition, including an narrow win over Park Place last week. UAE Polo ll had secured only one win before the start of this match and so any betting people watching this game would have put their cash on the Vikings. Unfortunately the Vikings penalty taking was adrift today. Juan Martin Zubia, who has been known for his big hitting, straight shooting didn’t quite have his eye in today. He did go off the field twice for treatment and so maybe an injury was to blame. That said the Vikings kept a narrow lead until the fifth chukka. Here Alfredo Bigatti converted two penalties and a field goal to give UAE Polo ll a much needed 8-6 lead going into the sixth chukka. UAE then failed to score in this final chukka, but Vikings couldn’t swing this game back their way. Not only did UAE’s Hugo Taylor do a great job in defence but both Juan Martin and Sebastian Merlos sent penalties wide for the Vikings. Much of this was, no doubt, due to the pressure. This was a game the Vikings had to win. Juan Martin did find the flags with a minute remaining but there was no time left to push this game into extra time.

Images: ©Images of Polo

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King Power 12 – 3 Schockemohle & UAE Polo ll 8 – 7 Vikings King Power had everything to lose today and so they came out fighting from the first…

Europe, Polo News

Cartier Queen’s Cup Day 11

15. June 2021

Park Place 11 – 8 UAE Polo ll & King Power 16 – 10 Vikings

A change of line up for Park Place today as Andrey Borodin was unable to play and his place was taken by Sebastian Petragallo. Despite this change in personnel, Park Place went on to secure their third league win in this year’s tournament but had to remain focused against a defensive UAE Polo ll team. This was a back and forth game at Coworth Park that saw both teams level at half-time, 4-4. The game opened up a little more in the second half and Park Place found some air in the fifth when UAE Polo ll failed to score at all. However there was plenty of tension, with both Sebastian Petragallo and Jaime Huidobro being shown yellow cards in the fourth chukka. Two goals apiece in the sixth chukka ensured victory for Park Place but both teams delivered some good play and Hugo Taylor was particularly impressive in defence for UAE Polo ll. Park Place have now completed their league stages, winning three out of four games but will have to wait and see where they will finish heading into the quarter-finals.

King Power proved that starting strong pays off, beating the Vikings 16-10 on The Duke’s Ground at Guards Polo Club. They were 5-0 up at the end of the first thanks to goals and penalties from Fran Elizalde and Charles Cooney. By half-time King Power had cemented their dominance 11-3. The South African John Watson again subbed for Vikings patron Siri Evjemo-Nysveen in the second half of this match and the team gradually put themselves back into contention, offering some really strong team play. Juan Martin Zubia scored six goals in this second half but had mixed fortunes as he was also given a yellow card in the sixth. It should be noted too that despite leading from the first chukka King Power were taking no chances in this game and continued to push until the final whistle. Both teams have one league game each left to play and will be eager to go to next weekend’s quarter-finals with three league wins under their belts.

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Park Place 11 – 8 UAE Polo ll & King Power 16 – 10 Vikings A change of line up for Park Place today as Andrey Borodin was unable to…

Europe, Polo News

Cartier Queen’s Cup, Day 8

11. June 2021

UAE ll Polo Team 13 – 9 Schockemohle & Vikings 14 – 13 Park Place

The UAE Polo Team ll secured their first win of the 2021 edition of the Cartier Queens Cup, defeating Schockemohle 13-9. The teams were all square (2-2) after the first chukka but the UAE team gradually pulled away. Hugo Taylor did a great job in defence for UAE and his hard work was reflected in the 13-6 scoreline at the end of the fourth chukka. Team-mate Alfredo Capella had dominated the scoring in the first half of this match, firing through six goals. Lucas Monteverde Junior took over in the fourth, adding three further goals to the three he had already scored in this game. With Jaime Huidobro joining in with a goal in the third this was very much a team effort from UAE ll. So it was a little surprising that they took their foot of the gas and did not score again in this match. Meanwhile Schockemohle carried on battling, with Jack Richardson and Patrick Maleitzke adding to their team’s tally in the final two chukkas, although it was not enough to alter the final outcome. Some great team-work from UAE Polo ll early on had reaped benefits for this team.

Siri Evjemo-Nysveen’s Vikings team’s win this afternoon is a fantastic example of playing until the very last minute of every game. This team were trailing Park Place from the second chukka until the sixth but never gave up hope. High-goal fortunes can always change in a moment but trailing 13-10 when the opposition includes Facundo Pieres and Juan Britos is definitely a big ask. Clearly Juan Martin Zubia had not read the form book as he was on fire today, scoring the majority of the Vikings’ goals, including all the goals scored in the final chukka. John Watson again deputised for Siri who is still battling an injury, swapping places at half-time, but the change in personnel did not alter the Vikings’ resolve. They believed in themselves and in their ponies and today it paid off.

www.guardspoloclub.com

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