Final Scores; La Magdeleine 14 – 11 Clinova | Venue: Prince’s Ground
Last playing in the Cartier Queen’s Cup in 2018, Clinova returned to the high-goal stage with a 2022 debut on the Prince’s Ground. The team had changed from the published line up, with six-goal, American player Jared Zenni, making his Queen’s Cup debut and young Englishman Luke Wiles (4 goals) teaming up with Alejandro Muzzio and Malcolm Borwick.
Their opponents this afternoon were a determined La Magdeleine team led by Pablo MacDonough. Searching for their first win of the tournament, La Magdeleine took an early lead after first chukka foul trouble for Clinova resulted in three penalty conversions for MacDonough. Responding for Clinova, a combined effort from Muzzio and Borwick kept the score tied at 3-all. With only 15 shots combined from the field in the first half of play, the success of both teams from the penalty line defined play, as Borwick’s five first half conversions pushed Clinova ahead by one, leading 8-7 at half-time.
After nearly three minutes of goaless play to begin the second half, an exceptional knock-in for La Magdeleine sprung Ollie Cudmore on the breakaway to tie the match. Quickly adding two more to their tally, La Magdeleine surged ahead, but this closely contested match carried into the final chukka. Borwick opened the scoring for Clinova in the final chukka to bring the game level for the seventh time. Extra time now seemed likely. However, La Magdeleine turned to tournament-scoring leader Pablo MacDonough, who completed two crucial penalty conversions to secure a hard-fought 14-11 victory.
Tomorrow’s Fixtures – Saturday May 21
11:30 am – King Power vs Twelve Oaks at Noel Farm – SL6 2NW
3:30 pm – Monterosso vs UAE Polo Team at TBC
Photographer: Images of Polo
More Game Action Pictures on Instagram @dubaipolosport
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