King Power Foxes, Zacara, UAE Polo and Talandracas automatically qualify
The initial league games for The Cartier Queen’s Cup have been completed. King Power Foxes, Zacara, UAE Polo and Talandracas automatically qualify for the next round, whilst the remaining eight teams move through to the knock-out phase of the tournament. Click here to see the draws for the next round in the knock-out phase.
On Friday 29 May Hilali Noordeen and his VPS Healthcare Sifani team registered their first win at Gadbridge Farm, Holyport, thanks to a golden goal from the stick of Max Charlton. The game was a wet and windy one, however Sifani were well in the lead with a score of 5-3 at half-time. Richard, the Earl of Tyrone, back in the saddle for opposition Somerton, successfully converted a penalty that made the score 8-8 in the closing seconds and pushed the game into extra time. The second match of the day was held at Guards Polo Club and in slightly sunnier conditions, Salkeld defeated RH Polo 10-8. Ben Soleimani’s RH Polo team is making its debut in this year’s competition and were well behind the stick for the duration of the game.
On Saturday 30 May at Guards Polo Club the unstoppable Kind Power Foxes took out tournament favourites Dubai with a convincing score of 15-11. The ‘Clash of the Titans’ match of Pieres vs Cambiaso didn’t live up to its billing with Pieres, undaunted by his opposition, scoring back to back goals. The glitch in the game came as Top Srivaddhanaprabha had to retire following a heavy fall. Top was substituted by Kian Hall, who has been part of the King Power set-up this season, for the remainder of the game. The second game of the day was a surprise as the Pailloncy brothers playing for HB Polo defeated the UAE Polo team 12-9. HB Polo, who have yet to register a win in this season’s 22 goal, were 6-3 up at half-time before pulling away in the fifth chukka.
The ninth day of action on Sunday 31 May, saw both Zacara and Talandracas win] against El Remanso and King Power respectively. A golden penalty from Hilario Ulloa in extra time saw Zacara finish top of Group One, and gain automatic qualification for next weekend’s Cartier Queen’s Cup Quarter-Final, taking home the Richard Watt Cup. Edouard Carmignac’s Talandracas won their final game thanks to a golden goal too, this time by Sapo Caset. To view replay action of the games from PoloCam Productions click here. Spectators at Guards can now also pick up the commentary on their car radios at 90FM.
Photograph: Zacara took home the Richard Watt Cup on Sunday 31 May. By © www.imagesofpolo.com
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