Habtoor took a 7-6 debut win over Dubai Wolves by CAFU on Day one of the Bentley Emirates Silver Cup at Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club, on Saturday, January 22.
The Bentley Emirates Silver Cup sees seven teams, up to 18 goals, compete. The final is set to be played on Saturday, February 5.
Prior to the opening match, Al Habtoor Polo Academy’s youngsters took to the field to showcase their skills. After the game, Mohammed Al Habtoor, Chairman of the UAE Polo Federation, awarded the players prizes from Black Hound Sports Dubai.
Next, the Bentley Emirates Silver Cup kicked off with the much anticipated opening clash between Habtoor Polo and Dubai Wolves by CAFU. The match was a family affair – a battle between father and son -Habtoor’s Mohammed Al Habtoor taking on his son, Wolves player Habtoor Al Habtoor.
Wolves scored the first goal of the tournament, thanks to a conversion from Carlos Ulloa. Habtoor replied quickly, courtesy of Bautista Bayugar, ending the first chukka 1-all. Halfway into the second, Habtoor managed to take a two goal lead, but the Wolves fought back. By the end of the third, the match was tied again, after Carlos Ulloa found the flags, picking up a pass from Alfredo Cappella.
The final two chukkas were very hard fought. With only one chukka left to play, the match was tied 4-4. In the last, Habtoor Polo took control of the game, with Bautista Bayugar and MatÃas Gonzalez scoring goals. The Wolves did their best to stay in the game, but Juan Jauretche sealed the deal for Habtoor, scoring the team’s seventh goal and securing their 7-6 win.
BENTLEY EMIRATES SILVER CUP – SATURDAY, JANUARY 22
HABTOOR 7-6 DUBAI WOLVES BY CAFU
HABTOOR: Mohammed Al Habtoor 0, Juan Jauretche 6, MatÃas González 4, Bautista Bayugar 8. Total: 18.
DUBAI WOLVES BY CAFU: Habtoor Al Habtoor 1, Charles Cooney 3, Toly Ulloa 6, Alfredo Cappella Barabucci 8. Total: 18.
Score Habtoor:Â 1-1, 2-1, 3-3, 4-4, 7-6.
Top scorer: Bautista Bayugar (Habtoor, 4 goals).
Umpires: Tim Brown & Jason Dixon
Third Man: Peter Wright.
The Bentley Emirates Silver Cup continues on Monday, January 24:
2pm: Bangash Dodson & Horrell Polo vs. AM Polo
4pm: Zedan Polo vs. Clinova – Scone Polo
IMAGES:
Bentley Emirates Silver Cup, Habtoor vs. Dubai Wolves by CAFU
THE BENTLEY EMIRATES SILVER CUP IS LIVE STREAMED ON POLOLINE TV HERE.Â