Final Scores: Marques de Riscal 11 vs 10 UAE Polo | Venue: Cowdray Lawns Brooks Field
The British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup continued on the fourth day of play beginning with Marques de Riscal against UAE on Brooks Field.
Trying to become the first team to two victories in the tournament, UAE opened the scoring on a 30-yard penalty conversion from Tommy Beresford, but a foul-ridden opening chukka turned the momentum to Marques de Riscal. Scoring three unanswered goals, including two penalty conversions, Guillermo Caset guided Marques de Riscal to an early 3-1 lead.
Improving their discipline, UAE was able to respond in the second chukka, relying on two field goals from Bartolome Castagnola Jnr as part of a three-goal run that helped bring them back within one. Exchanging goals in the third chukka with contributions from both Caset in the field and Beresford at the line, the two evenly matched opponents maintained the one-goal difference with Marques de Riscal leading 6-5 into the half-time break.
Limited to just three field goals throughout the entire match, UAE produced from the penalty line to offset their struggles from the field. Nine combined fouls left few opportunities for shots on goal, but Beresford and Caset traded three penalty goals each in the fourth chukka, bringing the score to 9-8. Play began to open up over the final two chukkas, but each UAE goal was met by a response from Marques de Riscal.
Along with a goal from Santiago Laborde, Caset’s ninth goal allowed Marques de Riscal to cling on to their one-goal lead with one chukka remaining. Desperate to take the lead, UAE was relentless on offense, firing seven shots at goal in the final chukka, but were unable to find the mark on any attempt.
Pinned in their own half, Marques de Riscal tried to withstand the UAE pressure, but sent their opponent to the penalty line on four different occasions. Unable to convert two attempts from the 40-yard line and two from the 60-yard line, UAE fell a goal short as a scoreless final chukka secured the 11-10 win for Marques de Riscal.
Gold Cup Gallery Day 4
Photographer: Mark Beaumont
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