Polo Report - The Bledisloe Warwickshire Cup
The Bledisloe Warwickshire Cup got off to a flying start with the two formidable forces of Godolphin and Black Bears going head to head; spectators were treated to a thrilling match with Black Bears running out the eventual winners, twelve goals to nine.
“A tough opening game but a really promising start to the tournament” said Black Bear’s patron Guy Schwarzenbach.
With the Warwickshire Cup the only title of its kind to elude the Black Bears contingent in the past four years, combined with their runner up position in last year’s final, it seems the team have their sights firmly set on taking the trophy home in 2012.
It was HH Sheika Maitha M Rashid Al Maktoum’s Godolphin Polo Team however who took a strong lead at the beginning of the match and were first to open the scoring with two quick consecutive goals before the first minute of the first chukka was complete. The incredible momentum continued with a third shortly after, consolidating the solid teamwork and skilled combination of Nicolas Roldan and Ignacio Heguy. It was mid-way through the first before the Black Bears team were in reach of Godolphin’s goal; John Paul Clarkin getting a shot but sending it just wide. A quick turn around of defence into attack soon after however saw Clarkin take it all the way to open the Black Bear’s account. In the final moments of the chukka a massive ball up field from Godolphin’s Heguy was not quite on target but swiftly backed by Roldan to find the posts just before the hooter, to leave Godolphin four to one up at the end of the first.
Godolphin’s dominance continued into the second chukka; with a fantastic goal from Roldan who carried the ball towards goal on the nearside and despite a lot of pressure from Clarkin, finished it with a perfectly placed nearside under the neck shot.
A 30 yard penalty awarded to Black Bears gave Clarkin the opportunity to level the score slightly to 5 -3. A disappointing end to the chukka for the team however with an opportunity to level further lost, as Clarkin carried the ball all the way down field from a hit in, only for the second hooter to finish the chukka moments before he put it through.
The third chukka was a pivotal point in the game with Black Bears on the attack more and more; strong teamwork led to Zavaleta scoring early in the period, however, solid defence from Godolphin still kept many more potential shots out of the goal and some opportunities were missed on both sides. The score was looking closer than ever though; 7 – 5 at half time.
Heguy widened the gap once more however at the beginning of the fourth making it 8 – 5, White and Zavaleta’s teamwork was quick to answer though and bring the goal difference closer once more. Alec White scored a great goal which brought the score level for the first time in the match towards the end of the fourth and it looked like Clarkin was set to take them into the lead soon after, however luck was not on his side as his mallet head flew high in the air meters from the goal, leaving it eight all and all to play for going into the fifth.
Black Bears held Godolphin scoreless for the entire chukka as they gained momentum with Zavaleta and Schwarzenbach both notching the Black Bears tally upwards.
At 10 – 8 going into the sixth and final chukka Black Bears scored twice more from Clarkin and Zavaleta to secure the convincing 12 – 9 victory.
Posted: 25/07/2012 20:04:32
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