It was not easy at all for Talandracas, but they made it. They remained behind thoroghout most of the match, but at the end of the day, the French-based foursome claimed a narrow 11-1o win over Twelve Oaks, in the single match for the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup, that took place at Cowdray Park Polo Club, in Midhurst, West Sussex. The tournament sees fourteen teams up to 23 goals, compete.
Twelve Oaks remained in the lead most of the match, although Talandracas – with Alejandro Aznar subbing in for Edouard Carmignac – were always close. Charlie Wooldridge’s team got off to a strong start by taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the first chukka. Talandracas earned the second, but Twelve Oaks re-claimed the lead from the third chukka onwards, up to the end of the fifth chukka, when they had a tight 10-9 advantage. However, Talandracas had another ideas in mind – they seized the reins in the last chukka and led by Polito Pieres’ extraordinary performance (he produced a total of eight goals), Talandradas left Twelve Oaks scoreless, in order to earn a very hard fought 11-10 win.
BRITISH OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE COWDRAY GOLD CUP – FRIDAY JULY 1
TALANDRACAS 11-10 TWELVE OAKS
Talandracas:Â Alejandro Aznar 0*, Alejandro Muzzio 7 (3 goals), Isidro Strada 6, Polito Pieres 9 (8). Total: 22.
Twelve Oaks:Â Charlie Wooldridge 1, Cristian Laprida 8 (2 goals), Joaquin Pittaluga 7 (6), John-Paul Clarkin 6 (2). Total: 22.
Score Talandracas: 1-3, 5-4, 6-8, 7-9, 9-10, 11-10.
Umpires:Â Howard Smith & Peter Wright.
Third man:Â Ben Turner.
*Subbed in for Edouard Carmignac 0.
The British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup will resume on Saturday July 2, with the following order of play:
12pm: Park Place Vaara vs. Great Oaks Les Lions
3pm: Vikings vs. Marqués de Riscal
The final of the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup is set to be played on Sunday, July 17.Â
British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup – Fixture & Teams