Thu 18th Jul 2024La Dolfina Great Oaks & Dubai Reach FinalBritish Open Polo Championship for The Cowdray Gold Cup on Sunday 21 July
Yesterday, Wednesday 17 July, saw huge crowds gather at Cowdray Park Polo Club for The British Open Polo Championship for The Cowdray Gold Cup Semi Final matches. The first game of the day was between 2024 Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy winners La Dolfina Great Oaks and King Power, winners of The Cowdray Gold Cup in 2016, 2017 and finalists in 2014 and 2019. La Dolfina Great Oaks dominated the first five chukkas, with an unmarked Poroto Cambiaso causing havoc for King Power. By the start of the last chukka they held an 11-7 lead, but King Power in their effervescently bright shirts found an extra gear to bounce back and tie the match at 11-11, pushing it into an extra chukka. A foul by King Power in the opening minute gave La Dolfina Great Oaks the opportunity they needed and Diego Cavanagh scored the winning goal, 12-11, securing them a place in Sunday’s Final. As spectators enjoyed the tradestands, pitchside picnicking opportunities and outstanding hospitality in the Brooks Enclosure, the skies brightened and the sun rolled over across the beautiful Cowdray Ruins. The second match of the day was between Dubai, Cowdray Gold Cup finalists for the past two years, and Talandracas, who secured The Cartier Queen’s Cup last month. 11 seems to be Jeta Castagnola’s lucky number as he scored 11 goals in the Quarter Final and again in the Semi Final yesterday, helping to propel Dubai to their impressive 18-9 victory and with it their spot in the Final. The British Open Polo Championship for The Cowdray Gold Cup Final will be played on Sunday 23 July at Cowdray Park Polo Club and although grandstand seating is now sold-out, there are still general entry and Lawns Enclosure tickets avaialble here. Dubai (22): Jeta Castagnola (10), Rashid Albwardy (2), Antonio Heguy (5) & Beltrán Laulhé (5) La Dolfina Great Oaks (22): Dillon Bacon (2), Kian Hall (3), Diego Cavanagh (8) & Poroto Cambiaso (9) King Power (22): Top Srivaddhanaprabha (1), William Harper (4), Pablo MacDonough (9) & Nico Pieres (8) Photograph: Jeta Castagnola scored 11 goals to help Dubai secure their place in the Final. By Mark Beaumont |