Thu 13th Jun 2024Cartier Queen’s Cup Finalists La Dolfina Great Oaks vs Talandracas on Sunday 16 June
Yesterday, Wednesday 12 June, after three competitive and challenging weeks, the 19 teams were narrowed down to just two as The Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi Finals took place at Guards Polo Club.
Both Semi Finals followed a similar pattern, with the winning teams taking the lead from the first chukka and each fielding a standout player in their already talented teams.
The first match between La Dolfina Great Oaks and King Power saw Poroto Cambiaso dominate the game, manoeuvring the ball through traffic with ease and displaying a poise far beyond his 18 years. A prime example of his calmness under pressure came in the fourth chukka when he fired a big hit down the field, navigated past all the other players, and picked up his own pass to score. Supported consistently by Diego Cavanagh, who scored six of his team’s goals, La Dolfina Great Oaks led 8-3 at half-time. Although Pablo MacDonough scored the majority of goals for King Power, a team that had impressed in their quarter-final clash against Dubai, they struggled to contain the scoring onslaught from Cambiaso and La Dolfina Great Oaks secured their Final place with a 13-9.
Unsurprisingly, Cambiaso was awarded the Most Valuable Player prize and also received the Cartier Best Playing Pony prize for Bam Bam, a pony bought from Chilean International Jaime Huidobro and played by Cambiaso for a few minutes in three chukkas yesterday.
Polito Pieres was the standout player in the second match, Talandracas against Black Bears on The Queen's Ground. Yesterday's performance reminded everyone why Polito was named the Most Valuable Player in last year's Final with Murus Sanctus. He outran everyone, a significant feat considering his opponents included the 10 goal Facundo Pieres, a five-time winner of The Queen's Cup.
Talandracas led 8-5 after three chukkas. Despite the formidable presence of the Pieres brothers, Facundo and Gonzalo, it was Talandracas' day. Polito received brilliant support from Alejandro Muzzio, his teammate from the 2023 Final, and Rosendo Torreguitar, who provided both great passes and excellent defensive play.
Their performance earned Talandracas a place in Sunday's Final and the Hubert Perrodo Trophy, presented by Hubert's daughter Nathalie Perrodo Samani and Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK. Hugues Carmignac received the trophy while his father, Edouard, the 2011 Queen's Cup winner, joined the team for the Best Playing Pony prize. This was awarded to Aventura, played by Polito in the first and sixth chukka. Polito also received the Most Valuable Player prize for his outstanding performance.
The Final between La Dolfina Great Oaks and Talandracas will be played at 3.30pm this Sunday with the Subsidiary Final for The Cartier Trophy played earlier in the day (11am) between La Dolfina Scone and Cibao La Pampa.
The Cartier Queen’s Cup Final Teams:
La Dolfina Great Oaks (22): Dillon Bacon (2), Kian Hall (3), Diego Cavanagh (8) & Poroto Cambiaso (9)
Talandracas (22): Hugues Carmignac (0), Rosendo Torreguitar (5), Polito Pieres (10) & Alejandro Muzzio (7)
Photograph: Poroto Cambiaso goes to goal. By Pablo Ramirez
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