Final Scores; Dubai 12 - 10 Twelve Oaks | Venue: Brooks Field
Competition in the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup continued on Monday 4th July with action between Twelve Oaks and Dubai Polo team on Brooks Field, followed by Park Place against Monterosso at Zacara.
Stepping up to the challenge of stiff competition throughout the tournament, Dubai Polo Team made their presence known again with back-to-back goals from Rashid Albwardy and leading scorer Camilo Castagnola to take a 2-0 advantage over Twelve Oaks.
They fell to their opponents in their previous two matches. Twelve Oaks’ inability to score early against a formidable Dubai Polo Team was erased in the second with goals from John Paul Clarkin and Cristian Laprida to tie the match at 2-all. Taking offensive control in the remainder of the second half, Dubai Polo Team put themselves back on top after a run of four goals with contributions from Matt Perry and Castagnola, including Castagnola’s first match conversion from the 60-yard line.
Attempting three shots on goal in the third chukka, a final effort from Joaquin Pittaluga finally found the posts for Twelve Oaks. Still, the offensive firepower of the Dubai Polo Team gave them a comfortable 6-3 lead at the half.
Following a goal from Dubai Polo Team’s Jeronimo de Carril to open the scoring in the fourth, Twelve Oaks assembled their first string of goals, as Laprida and Charlie Wooldridge answered from the field to score three and cut their deficit to two. Halting the progress of a driving Twelve Oaks, Castagnola dominated play, hitting the goal four times and going 3 for 3 at the penalty line to increase Dubai Polo Team’s lead 11-7.
Digging in to attempt a final comeback, goals from Laprida and Pittaluga accompanied a solid defensive stand from Twelve Oaks. Scoring three in the final chukka of play, including Twelve Oaks’ second conversion of the match, the last-minute efforts fell just short of Castagnola’s eighth goal of the day, giving Dubai Polo Team enough room to take the game 12-10 and remain undefeated.
Photographer: Pablo Ramirez
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