Ojo Caliente 14-11Gaston

Desert Palm 13 – 10 Park Place

Ana Escobedo made her Cartier Queen’s Cup debut a winning one. Her team, Ojo Caliente, delivered a sparkling performance on the Lawns at Cowdray Park, to win their first game 14-11. The scores were pretty even at the start with Jean Paul Luksic’s Gaston keeping themselves in contention throughout the first three chukkas. The damage was done early into the second half. Facundo Sola, a regular member of Ana’s team across all tournaments, turned up the heat. He scored three goals in almost as many minutes in the fourth to give Ojo Caliente an 11-7 lead going into the fifth. Gaston kept on fighting, with Gonzalo Ferrari even firing one through on the bell but they couldn’t get back on terms and Ana’s team won the day.

The action moved back to Guards Polo Club, and the Club’s Princes’ Ground, for the battle between Desert Palm and Park Place. Mia Cambiaso, sporting her family’s distinctive Argentine flag helmet, was in the number one shirt for Desert Palm. This team secured a narrow, one goal lead after the first two chukkas (6-5) but Park Place were always in the mix and did not let Desert Palm relax for a moment. Horse races between the nine-goalers Barto Castagnola and Hilario Ulloa, were a regular occurrence in their bid to gain supremacy on the field. With the scores tied at the end of the fifth (10-10) spectators were hoping that this match would head into extra time like two of yesterday’s games. Desert Palm had other ideas though. Kian Hall found the flags first followed by Castagnola, who successfully converted his cousin Mia’s hard work to make it 12-10 in the sixth chukka. Mia herself then scored a lovely goal to confirm Desert Palm’s victory and highlighted her own ability, which had shone throughout this match. With both her father and grandfather watching from the sidelines it was the perfect time to bring her A game to the tournament.