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Thu 14th Jun 2012

Dubai and Ayala progress to Queen's Cup final

A Cambiaso masterclass and positive polo from Ayala has set up a mouth-watering final for Sunday

Adolfo Cambiaso (pictured) reminded English polo audiences yesterday just why he's such hot property for Ali Albwardy's Dubai Polo Team, dominating the game from virtually start to finish riding a stunning selection of horses and putting El Remanso to the sword. Though he appears to be carrying a groin injury of somekind, or a flair up of the riding muscle problems that he's suffered frequently in the past, the world number one wowed the crowds on the Queen's Ground at Guards Polo Club, including many invited Cartier guests, and gave El Remanso little chance.

His main adversary, Uruguay's David "Pelon" Stirling, was kept uncharacteristically quiet, with El Remanso's biggest threat seemingly carried by Cancer-survivor Guillermo Terrera and patron Charlie Hanbury, who continues to improve. Terrera played with passion throughout and it helped bring El Remanso back from 5-1 down at half-time to within a couple of goals in the fifth chukka. But Cambiaso and Nachi Heguy linked up well for Dubai and frustrated their opponents to grind out the victory and win themselves a slot in the final on Sunday against Ayala, who won the second semi-final against EFG Bank Aravali 11-8.

Ayala displayed Ellerston's impressive horsepower in the second game on the Duke's Ground, with Gonzalito Pieres the standout perfomer, as usual (particularly in the second half). He came up against Marcos Di Paola in impressive form in defence for EFG Bank Aravali, and is teammate Eduardo Novillo Astrada was named most valuable player. However, Ayala proved too strong, spured on constantly by the ever-consistent John Paul Clarkin, and they left EFG behind in the fifth chukka and went on to win in the end by three. You can read about some of the horses involved in the next issue of Polo Times.

Cambiaso looks as though he's really anxious to make up for the disappointment of not winning a high-goal trophy in the UK last season, and his renewed passion this season almost boiled over when he and Pelon – and then he and George Hanbury – exchanged heated words in the pony lines at the end of the contest. From a neutral's perspective, we'll hope for more of the same on Sunday. Yes please.


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