Final Scores: Great Oaks LL 15 vs 7 Thai Polo NP | Venue: Cowdray Lawns Field 1
Making their debuts in the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup, reigning champions Thai Polo NP faced recent Cartier Queen’s Cup victors Great Oaks LL on Lawns 1.
In search of their third consecutive 22-goal title of the season, Great Oaks LL began their quest for the Gold Cup against a new-look Thai Polo NP team that began with one goal on handicap. The match was played for The Smith Ryland Cup.
Great Oaks LL managed to keep Thai Polo NP off the scoreboard in the first chukka, as contributions from Cruz Heguy at the line, followed by James Beim and 9-goaler Juan Martin Nero from the field gave Great Oaks LL an early 3-1 advantage. Repeating their offensive success from the first chukka, Heguy, and Beim’s second goals of the day were joined by a drive from Dillon Bacon to hold Thai Polo NP to just one shot in the chukka and increase their lead to five.
Struggling to generate an offensive attack with just two shots in open play, Thai Polo NP finally cut into their deficit with two 30-yard penalty conversions off the mallet of Ned Hine, but the firepower of the Great Oaks LL attack was evident throughout the first half as a finally tally from Nero allowed Great Oaks LL to take a commanding 8-3 lead into halftime.
Working off the momentum established in the later stages of the third, Hine opened the second half to score his second two-goal chukka of the match and managed to outscore their opponents 2-1 for the first time in the contest, with Great Oaks LL’s only offense coming on a penalty conversion from Cruz Heguy. Rebounding from a fourth chukka with only one shot on goal, Great Oaks LL once again seized control of the contest, scoring four unanswered goals, including Nero’s game leading sixth of the day to all but secure the victory.
Heading into the final chukka ahead by seven, Great Oaks LL completed their exceptional debut with final goals from Heguy and Beim to claim the 15-7 victory. Dillon Bacon happily received the cup which was presented by Milly Hine.
Gold Cup Gallery Day 3
Photographer: Mark Beaumont
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