Final Scores: Park Place Vaara 15 vs 9 Vikings Polo | Venue: Brooks Field
Continuing action in the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup, the second day of tournament play featured two high-scoring matchups with Park Place Vaara facing Vikings on Brooks Field.
Converting one of two penalty attempts in the opening chukka, Vikings’ Juan Martin Zubia found the goal from the 30-yard line, but a well-balanced Park Place Vaara quickly responded with a powerful offensive attack. Scoring nine of the next ten goals, Park Place Vaara’s run was initiated by Santos Merlos in open play, while 10-goaler Hilario Ulloa was exceptional during the stretch with five goals and two assists.
Holding a commanding 8-2 lead through two chukkas, Park Place Vaara held Vikings scoreless from the field until a field goal from Mark Tomlinson ended the drought in the third chukka. Along with the strong play of Juan Britos, Ulloa and Park Place Vaara ended the half by maintaining their six-goal advantage after a Safety and field goal from Ulloa to finish an impressive first half leading 10-4.
Accounting for all but one of Vikings’ goals in the first half, Zubia stepped up once with two goals in the fourth chukka while holding Park Place Vaara scoreless for the first time in the match. Rebounding from the fourth chukka, Park Place Vaara turned to Britos, who kickstarted his team’s offense by using the pass effectively to collect two assists and a goal to push the lead back to five.
Despite both teams shooting 50% from the field, Park Place Vaara produced ten more shots on goal that ultimately proved to be the difference in the match. Scoring his game-high eighth goal in the final chukka, Ulloa led Park Place Vaara to the resounding 15-9 victory to begin their quest for the Cowdray Gold Cup.
Gold Cup Gallery Day 2
Photographer: Pablo Ramirez
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