EFG Aravali took a narrow 5-4 win over Emlor to win the Indian Empire Shield at Guards Polo Club.
The winners dominated the match and the scoreboard. Emlor made an impressive comeback in the last chukkas in an attempt to tie the game, but they were unable to defeat EFG in the end.
Nacho Gonzalez’s Bonita, took BPP honors.
The final of the Indian Empire Shield was particularly special because three of the eight players on the field are due to play the Coronation Cup next Saturday July 25. Jaime García Huidobro and Manuel Fernández Llorente (EFG Bank Aravali and Emlor, respectively) will play for South America), while Max Charlton (EFG Bank Aravali) will represent England.
The Subsidiary title went to Four Quarters, who defeated Ferne Park 10-6.
Jaime García Huidobro: It was a great match. We played well and the team worked well. It’s very special for Kharam (Thapar), who came back to play after an injury. He wasn’t playing at all but he was rewarded by winning England’s most important 18-goal tournament.
This is a very special year for me too; I’m expecting my first child and I am not going to play the Argentine Open, so things are different. It was great to win today.
Now I’m going to get ready for the Coronation Cup. We will have a practice at Les Lions on Sunday, then at Trippetts and Sumaya… it’s going to be a busy week.
Juan Cruz Merlos: Everything went very well for me; I think I’m doing OK, and all the teams I’ve played worked out well. I always learn something new from my teams. I think discipline is very important in English polo: you have to make things easy when you play with two good players, something that depends on the third player. The grounds are very good; it was a great experience and I have learnt a lot this year; I already have plans for next year. I’m going to Sotogrande on July 20; I will play the low goal with Clarita. The place is great and Clarita have a great organisation.
Max Charlton: This was good preparation for the Coronation Cup. It was very interesting to play with and against two guys I will meet on Saturday!
I had a English good season, very competitive; very hard, as well, but a great experience.
http://www.pololine.com/?lang=1&sec=3¬e=6978&pag=0&anoB=2015