A sunny day on Brooks Field set the scene for the Cooch Behar Cup on Saturday 27th June, with Dubai Polo Team taking on Ferne Park for this historic trophy.
Riding out at 1 for Dubai was Tariq Albwardy (0), with Antonio Heguy (7) at 2, 9-goaler Bartolome Castagnola at 3, and Santos Merlos (6) at back. In the black shirts for Ferne Park was Vere Harmsworth (0) at 1, Chris Mackenzie (6) at 2, Joaquin Pittaluga (7) at 3, and Facundo Pieres (9) at back.
A goal from the first line-out by Pittaluga, assisted by Pieres, got Ferne Park off to a good start. However, Merlos responded a few minutes later with a long run to goal. A successful 60-yard penalty conversion allowed Ferne Park to edge ahead once again, but a cut shot just before the buzzer by Merlos, assisted by Castagnola, took both teams into the second chukka level at 2-2.
A successful 30-yard penalty from Pieres kick-started the second chukka, but a shot to goal in response by Heguy midway through the chukka once again equalised the scores. A mistake by Ferne Park then handed Castagnola the opportunity to successfully convert a 40-yard penalty, leaving the scores at 4-3 at the end of the second.
The third chukka saw a big push by Ferne Park, with a skilful nearside backhand goal by Mackenzie near the end of the chukka, followed by a last-second goal from Pieres to send Ferne Park into half-time leading 5-4.
Despite an early 30-yard penalty from Ferne Park, Dubai came back refreshed for a strong fourth chukka, with a successfully converted Safety 60-yard by Castagnola, followed by a 30-yard penalty from Heguy. Merlos finished off Dubai’s hat-trick of goals in the chukka with an under-pressure field goal in the final minute, leaving the scores at 7-6.
The fifth chukka told a similar story, with an early goal by Heguy following a spot hit from teammate Castagnola to extend Dubai’s lead. However, a mistake from the Dubai side handed Pieres the opportunity to successfully convert a 30-yard penalty, keeping Ferne Park in contention. Another successfully taken penalty by Castagnola in the final two minutes took Dubai into the last chukka leading 9-7.
The final chukka had the crowd on the edge of their seats. An opening 60-yard penalty by Castagnola lulled the crowd into thinking the game was sealed for Dubai, but a mistake by Dubai handed Pieres the opportunity to convert a 30-yard penalty in the final two minutes. He then finished a team goal with just 40 seconds remaining, bringing Ferne Park within a goal of Dubai. Despite Ferne Park’s best efforts, it was too little, too late, leaving Dubai victorious 10-9.
The historic Cooch Behar Cup was presented to Tariq Albwardy by Jonathan Russell, CEO of the Cowdray Estate. The Cowdray Vikings Best Playing Pony Rug was presented to Mega Espia, played and owned by Facundo Pieres.
