Semi-Final 1-Ellerston Cup
In an exhilarating semi-final clash at the Cowdray Park Polo Club, La Dolfina Great Oaks emerged victorious over King Power with a final score of 12-11, securing their place in the prestigious Cowdray Gold Cup final. The match, played under clear skies and perfect conditions, was a showcase of top-tier polo, with both teams demonstrating exceptional skill, strategy, and sportsmanship.
Riding out in yellow shirts for King Power, Tani Darritchon (2) played at number one, substituting for Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha (1), with Will Harper (4) at 2, Pablo Mac Donough (9) at 3, and 8-goaler Nico Pieres at Back. Dillon Bacon (2) wore the number 1 shirt for La Dolfina Great Oaks (LD Great Oaks), with Kian Hall (3) at 2, Diego Cavanagh (8) at 3, and 9-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr at Back.
The Ellerston cup game saw tremendous play by both teams, but despite a last-minute push by King Power it wasn’t quite enough to fend off LD Great Oaks who took victory 12-11. The first chukka kicked off with a goal apiece for each side meaning LD Great Oaks led going into the second 2-1 (started with1 goal due to handicap differences). In the second LD Great Oaks dominated with 2 brilliant goals each for Cavanagh and Cambiaso, but a goal at the end of the chukka by Pieres continued King Powers’ tally, leaving them trailing 2 goals to 6. The third saw more equal play by the teams with a goal by Pieres and Cavanagh to leave the score of 7-3 going into half-time.
LD Great Oaks continued to pull ahead in the fourth, with Cavanagh scoring two more goals and another brilliant goal by Cambiaso, however King Power where not giving up with two more goals. The fifth saw a similar story with another goal by LD Great Oaks but a couple of successful penalties by Pieres for King Power meant LD Great Oaks led by 4 going into the last 11-7. With all still to play for, King Power changed the tide of the game with 4 unbelievable goals to equalize 11-11, calling for an extra chukka. With the crowds on the edge of their seats the extra chukka commenced, however an early foul against King Power secured the fate of the game leaving LD Great Oaks victorious.
A delighted Dillon Bacon stepped forward to receive the Ellerston Cup from Francesca Packer Barham. Diego Cavanagh was named as MVP, presented with a bottle of Fifty One Degrees North by Simon Bradbury Chief Commercial Officer at Gusbourne. The No.3 Gin Best Playing Pony (BPP) rug was presented to Showbiz, owned by King Power and played by Pablo Mac Donough, with the Retraining of Racehorses (ROR) rug being presented to Galaxy, owned by King Power and played by Will Harper.
Semi Final 2- Tramontana Cup
As temperatures rose on Lawns 1, Dubai Polo Team faced Talandracas to decide the final line up for the chance to win the Cowdray Gold Cup. Spectators gathered at the edge of their enclosures as both teams rode out with determination.
10-goaler Camilo Castagnola played at 1 for Dubai Polo Team, with Rashid Albwardy (2) at 2, Antonio Heguy (5) at 3, and Beltran Laulhe (5) at Back. For Talandracas Hugues Carmignac (0) wore the number 1 shirt, with Rosendo Torreguitar (5) at 2, 10-goaler Pablo Pieres at 3, and Alejandro Muzzio (7) at Back.
The second semi-final saw an outstanding display of skill by both sides, however a dominating performance by Dubai secured their fate in the final 18-9. The first three chukkas saw the talented Dubai side take control of the play with a dozen goals across the three chukkas, 7 of which were credited to the young 10-goaler Castagnola. Despite strong efforts by Talandracas, they couldn’t quite match the force of their components, leaving the score at 12-2 going into half-time.
Following a half-time break Talandracas had an incredible chukka to score 5 goals, 3 of which credited to number 1 Carmignac, leaving them gaining on Dubai 7 goals to 12. Dubai came back with force in the fifth with 2 further goals by Castagnola and 2 by Heguy, however Talandracas continued to fight with another couple of goals. In the last Dubai continued their masterclass with 2 final goals, cementing their position in the final 18 goals to 9.
The Tramontana Cup was presented to Ali Albwardy by The Hon. Mrs Lila Pearson, with Beltran Laulhe being awarded MVP by Simon Bradbury. The Cowdray BPP rug was given to Sultan owned by Dubai Polo and played by Jeta Castagnola . The ROR BPP rug was presented to Millie, owned by Talandracas and played by Rosendo Torreguitar.
