Match reports Day 1 Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup – Tuesday 27th June 2017 By Katie Vickery
Talandracs 8 vs 9 Murus Sanctus
In the first match of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup for the British Open Championship at Cowdray Park Polo Club, played for the Carlos Gracida Memorial Trophy, Murus Sanctus continued their upward trend, defeating Talandracas 9 goals to 8 in a clean, if close, game. Although never letting Corinne Ricard’s side get more than a couple of goals ahead, Talandracas found themselves chasing the Murus Sanctus team led by 10 goaler Hilario Ulloa throughout the match. Few fouls from either side meant a clean game dominated by field goals. They didn’t let the fact that Facundo Sola was out with injury and swapped with Francisco Elizalde throw them off their rhythm and secured the first win of the prestigious tournament.
Match Progression:
2-1 2-4 4-4 5-7 7-9 8-9
El Remanso 11 vs 9 La Bamba de Areco
A close, nail biting finish in the second match of the day saw El Remanso cling to their lead over a determined La Bamba de Areco side after a 6 chukka battle. Tempers ran high of and an unusually high 3 yellow cards were given out (Cavanagh, Rueda and Hanbury) as well as a total of 16 fouls (only Harper avoided the umpires whistle). Despite the high number of fouls, the match was open and field goal heavy, with everyone except Beim and Ned Hine (in for Jean Francois Decaux) getting their names on the scoreboard and there was plenty for the crowds to get excited about. The final chukka held out at 9-9 with the clock running down, Laprida having scored to equalise, but it was not to be and a penalty 1 by Rueda meant a free goal to El Remanso that was shortly followed by a field goal to seal the win at 11-9.
Match Progression:
0-2 2-2 5-3 6-5 7-7 11-9
