Sat 15th Aug 2015 Dubai remain unbeaten in Sotogrande Finals of the INDI Silver and Bronze Cups at Santa Maria Polo Club Amongst the glitz and glamour of the Santa Maria polo scene, Dubai claimed first blood in this two-part season with a win against Lechuza Caracas in the Final of the INDI Silver Cup. Dubai are looking invincible in the run up to the Gold Cup – the highlight of the Spanish high goal season. The match between Victor Vargas’ Lechuza Caracas and Rashid Albwardy’s Dubai was as ferocious as the late afternoon sun, as hundreds of spectators gathered to watch the battle between the two teams. With La Dolfina teammates Adolfo Cambiaso and Juan Martín Nero coming face to face for the prestigious Silver Cup Final, there was everything to play for. However it didn’t take long for the formidable Dubai to make their mark,  two goals in the first chukka saw them capitalise on the Lechuza Caracas fouls converting both 30 and 60 yard penalties. A quick goal at the start of the second chukka by Lechuza Caracas put them back in the game, closely followed by a foul against Dubai giving the Lechuza side a much needed equalizer. However, Dubai weren’t put off and a beautiful goal by Albwardy off the back of Martín Valent’s pass meant they peeled in to the lead once again. This lead was furthered by a 60 yard penalty lofted high though the posts by Cambiaso. Despite a brief pause for Lusarreta to remount after a high speed tumble, Dubai showed no mercy and no sign of letting up, as a neat run up the boards led to another goal, bringing the score to 5-2. The third chukka saw the two 10 goalers square up to each other, showing off their impressive ball skills and unbeatable pony power that resulted in one goal apiece.  But Nero’s abilities weren’t enough to stem the flow of goals as Dubai snuck past them in the fourth chukka. Dubai were relentless as always, with goal after goal bringing the chukka to a seemingly unbeatable 10-3 finish. Tempers were running high and sticks flashed in the air, despite some heroic play by Donoso and Lusarreta that resulted in two goals for Lechuza Caracas, Dubai continued their lead. The all-important last chukka loomed and Lechuza Caracas fought right to the end and brought the score up in their favour with two penalties in quick succession, plus a great goal from Nero which elicited roars from the spellbound crowd. However, several goals from the mighty Cambiaso and a long run down the field by Albwardy meant that Dubai came away victorious 14-8, despite all Lechuza Caracas’ best efforts. Thursday 13 August saw a hard-fought final between Ayala Polo Team and newcomers Murus Sanctus for the Bronze Cup, the Subsidiary Silver Cup at the 44th Land Rover International Polo Tournament. Both teams played hard, with Corinne Ricard’s Murus Sanctus side equalizing at every step before Ayala managed to pull away in the last chukka. With strong open play, Ayala’s Inigo Zobel, Santiago Stirling, Ignacio Laprida and David Stirling played hard and came out victorious, despite a goal from Corinne in the last 30 seconds Murus Sanctus couldn’t quite keep up the pace to the final bell. So now it’s onwards and upwards as we look to the Gold Cup, starting this Monday. Can Dubai make it another double whammy or will Lechuza Caracas be out for revenge? The gruelling tournament will be played out over the next two weeks with the highly anticipated final taking place Saturday 29 August. Watch this space as Polo Times'  reporter is on the pitch-side to bring you the latest from the sidelines and pony lines.  The Grey Goose Bronze Cup Final teams: Ayala Polo Team (22): Iñigo Zobel (1), Santiago Stirling (4), Ignacio Laprida (7) & David Stirling (10) Murus Sanctus (22): Corinne Ricard (0), Juan Gris Zavaleta (7), Guillermo Willington (7) & Facundo Sola (8) The High Goal INDI Silver Cup Final Teams: Dubai Polo Team (22): Rashid Albwardy (2), Martín Valent (4), Alejo Taranco (6) & Adolfo Cambiaso (10) Lechuza Caracas (22): Victor Vargas (1), José Donoso (5), Julian de Lusarreta (6) & Juan Martín Nero (10) Photograph: Dubai Polo Team win the INDI Silver Cup and the first leg of the 44th Land Rover International Polo Tournament. By Katie Vickery

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