Final Scores; Dubai 12 - 11 Scone | Venue: Cowdray Lawns 1
The much-anticipated Semi-Finals of the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup took place on a glittering Lawns 1 at Cowdray Park Polo Club, with the undefeated Dubai Polo Team taking on Scone in a close contest for The Ellerston Cup, followed by Park Place versus Talandracas for The Tramantana Cup, to determine the final two teams with hopes of capturing the prestigious title.
Due to the hot weather, the Club and Patrons took extra precautions for the show's equine stars, including covers over the pony lines, misting fans, and enlarged 'hot walking' areas.
The opening Semi-Final began with a top performance from Scone's Poroto Cambiaso, producing three unanswered goals to open the game. Playing in place of Adolfo Cambiaso, Juan Martin Nero joined the Scone line-up, contributing on the defensive end in the early stages as two penalty conversions from Cambiaso showcased a Scone team that applied the pressure early against Dubai Polo Team. Englishman Matt Perry finished a pass from Camilo Castagnola to get Dubai Polo Team on the scoreboard. Still, the fourth goal of the chukka for Poroto Cambiaso resulted in a 4-1 lead.
Dubai established their rhythm in the second chukka, as they prevented Scone from finding the goal and received two field goals from Castagnola and Jeronimo del Carril's first to bring the game even at 4-all. The remainder of the match featured two evenly matched sides as they battled into halftime, but the tie score remained with the teams deadlocked at 5-all. Crowds of spectators descended onto the field to tread in the divots and search for the U.S. Polo Assn. This token would give the lucky finder £250 worth of stylish polo-inspired apparel.
Play tightened to begin the second half, resulting in five combined fouls between the two teams. While Scone's Poroto Cambiaso sent a 30-yard penalty through the posts, Dubai missed all three of their penalty attempts to trail by one. Del Carril knocked a 30-yard penalty through during the fifth chukka to break the drought for Dubai, but it would be their only penalty conversion of the match as all remaining goals came from the field. The back-and-forth game had the spectators on the edge of their seats, but a three-goal chukka from Scone suddenly put them ahead by two with just one chukka between them and the final.
Moving forward in the game, Nero added his third goal to increase Scone's lead further, but Dubai stormed with an impressive comeback. Collecting two goals and an assist, Castagnola raised his level of play to stun Scone, tie the game at 11-all and force the game into overtime. Nearly three minutes into the extra chukker, a steal from Perry sprung Castagnola on a breakaway, and he carried the ball through the posts to send Dubai into the finals with the thrilling 12-11 victory.
Gonzalo Pieres Snr., former 10-goaler and father of Facundo and Gonzalito, presented the Ellerston Cup to Rashid Albwardy and Bob Mehm of EFG Private Bank presented the Most Valuable Player award to Camilo' Jeta' Castagnola. Open Calloway, played by Camilo 'Jeta' Castagnola, received her second Best Playing Pony prize of the tournament and was presented the No.3 Gin Pursuit of Perfection rug by Lizzy Rudd, Chairman of Berry Bros. & Rudd. Beth Howlett of Lycetts presented the Retraining of Racehorses Best Playing Pony prize to Maddie, played and owned by Matt Perry.
Cowdray Gold Cup 2022 Semifinals Gallery
Photographer: Mark Beaumont
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