Tue 29th Mar 2016Brits Win Barbados Open Strategic Play Secures Top Barbadian Title
Peter O’Rorke and Matt Evetts from O’Rorke’s UK based Strategic team, most often seen on the 6 Goal Victor Ludorum circuit, took a trip to Barbados to participate in the Archers Hall Barbados Open, playing on Bruce Bayley’s CGI Clifton team along with Christian Chaves who is based in the UK and Barbados. Other Brits in the competition included Nick Pepper, also a Strategic team regular, who played for an Apes Hill Team as did talented 16-year-old James ‘Jimbo’ Fewster, son of former 3 goaler Martin Fewster, who is now in his 22nd year of umpiring in Barbados. Cheshire based Ollie Taylor was the strong man of the local Rubis team and Jamie Dickson turned out for another Apes Hill team.
Archers Hall Barbados Open winner Peter O’Rorke spoke to Polo Times about the action from the Final and the league games leading up to their big win, “Plenty of rainfall, just prior to the tournament, had refreshed the playing fields at both Apes Hill and Holders and the early rounds revealed closely fought battles between all teams, with little to reveal an obvious winner. Bayley’s CGI Clifton team, however, won all three preliminary rounds as well as the Semi Final to go through to the Final against Stewart Gill’s Rubis.
“Despite four straight wins, CGI looked uneasy in the first chukka as Taylor used his strong angles to keep the ball away from Evetts and Chaves, usually highly dangerous in attack. The Atwell brothers tried to run onto those balls, but characteristic solid defence from Bayley kept the scores reasonably level. CGI Clifton settled in the final chukka as Evetts’ long angled shots and Chaves’ exceptional ball carrying skills led to two goals, putting Rubis on the back foot. With less than a minute to go and with scores tied, a loose ball was picked up by hard charging Bayley coming through from the back and sent towards the Rubis goal to be followed by a desperate 'killing snakes' thrash that ended with Chaves just getting enough stick to the ball to get it over the line before time.
“Barbados locals know their polo and as usual, an enthusiastic and stylish crowd had shown up on Sunday afternoon for the Final. While visiting Brits presented with sand between their toes and over-done beach tans, the atmosphere of Barbados polo is anything but casual. All the local players are tough, experienced and sporting, with an enthusiasm and zest for the game that should be the envy of many UK Clubs.”
Photograph: CGI Clifton, winners of the Archers Hall Barbados Open. Courtesy of Matt Evetts
Tue 29th Mar 2016Dubai's Debut Success USPA Gold Cup Final Win for Albwardy
The second title of the American Triple Crown series came to a dramatic end on Sunday 27 March as Rashid Albwardy's Dubai took on last year's champions Audi for the coveted USPA Gold Cup. In a game that wasn’t decided until the last seconds of play, Dubai scored the final goal of the Final of the USPA Gold Cup to salvage a 12-11 win over the defending champions Audi on Sunday afternoon at the International Polo Club, Palm Beach.
Sola led the Dubai attack with six goals (four on penalty conversions) and earned Most Valuable Player honours for his efforts. Cambiaso scored four of his five goals on the day from the field and Taranco scored once. Pieres scored half of his game-high eight goals on penalty shots. Andrade added two goals and Mannix scored once in the loss.
Flo, a seven-year-old dark bay English Thoroughbred mare was named Best Playing Pony. Owned by Valiente and played by Cambiaso, it was the mare’s first season in Florida.
USPA Gold Cup Final teams:
Dubai (26): Rashid Albwardy (2), Alejo Taranco (6), Facundo Sola (8) & Adolfo Cambiaso (10)
Audi (26): Marc Ganzi (1), Rodrigo Andrade (9), Gonzalito Pieres (9) & Freddie Mannix (7)
Results: Dubai beat Audi, 12-11
Photograph: Dubai's American season debut gets off to a triumphant start. By Alex Pacheco
Thu 24th Mar 2016USPA Gold Cup Finalists Decided Audi and Dubai Come Out Winners of the Semi Finals
Wednesday 23 March saw victories for Dubai and Audi at the International Polo Club, Palm Beach, setting the stage for the Final of the 2016 USPA Gold Cup, which is due to take place on Sunday 27 March.
Dubai took to the field for the midday game against a talented Coca-Cola team in the first Semi Final match of the day. In a cautious and defensively oriented start, Coca-Cola took the lead, ending the first half with a close 6-5 advantage, despite a strong offensive attack from Dubai after Adolfo Cambiaso was taken off having been on the receiving end of a mallet swung by Coca-Cola’s Miguel Astrada. All patched up and ready to go Cambiaso returned to the field to mount an attack on the Coca-Cola defence and after half-time a regenerated Dubai team charged onto the field. Dubai took the lead that saw them through to the end. Coca-Cola did their best, staying close on their heels, but Facundo Sola was on fire, scoring goal after goal and Coca-Cola could only try to catch up. Refusing to give up they kept closing the score difference, but they were unable to surpass their opposition and the final whistle blew as the Dubai side celebrated an 11-9 win.
In a rematch of the Final of the 2015 USPA Gold Cup, Audi and Orchard Hill faced one another in the second Semi Final with Audi getting the better of Orchard Hill, 12-10, and earning the right to defend their 2015 title on Sunday afternoon against Dubai. Playing without the services of 10 goaler Polito Pieres (suffering a shoulder separation after a fall in the Quarter Finals), Orchard Hill lined up with Argentine 9 goaler Hilario Ulloa. At first, it looked as though this change in line-up would affect the team’s previously fluid playing style. With Audi coming out strongly from the first chukka, Hilario proved his worth on the field in the third chukka, scoring back to back goals that helped them bring the score to a more equal footing, the first half ending 8-7 in favour of Audi. The second half was a close affair and as Orchard Hill settled into their stride, the lead alternated between the two teams throughout. Mounted on fresh horses, both teams returned to the field for the final chukka to settle the affair and find out who would be facing Dubai in the tournament Final. It didn’t take long – Gonzalito Pieres converted a 40 yard penalty shot for a 10-10 deadlock. Two more goals from Pieres left no doubt and Audi earned their place to fight for victory.
Photograph: Cambiaso with a huge shot to goal. By Alex Pacheco
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