A NON-SURPRISING RESULT FOR THE CORONATION CUP AT THE 25TH CARTIER INTERNATIONAL
The Audi England polo team said yesterday they achieved what they set out to do in the Coronation Cup for the 25th anniversary of Cartier International Polo - to learn.
A crowd of 20,000 held their breath for the weather at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park as England and Argentina faced each other in the Coronation Cup on the world's largest spectator polo day.
Spectators watched the Audi-supported England team of Luke Tomlinson (captain), James Beim, Mark Tomlinson and Malcolm Borwick line up against a mighty team from Argentina, featuring ten-goalers Adolfo Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres, the two best players in the world.
The eventual scoreline of 12-5 to Argentina reflected the disparity in handicap but not the standard of play.
"The Cambiaso show" began in the first chukka with a goal by 35-year-old Adolfo in the third minute - and, though England's James Beim valiantly chased the ball home in the dying stages, it was too late for it to count.
Luke Tomlinson scored the home team's first goal in the early stages of the second, and, despite a ride-off between brother Mark and Cambiaso that had the crowd on the edge of their seats, Adolfo scored again bringing Argentina ahead 2-1.
Three more goals by the Argentines brought the score to 5-1 in the third but a last-minute score by Mark Tomlinson closed the chukka 5-2.
Mark Tomlinson scored the third goal for England in the opening stages of the fourth chukka, swiftly followed by a 30-yard free hit from brother, Luke. But no sooner had Audi England pulled the score closer than Argentina scored twice to finish the chukka 7-4.
As the weather worsened, the four commentators - Australian captain Glen Gilmore (who played England last year), Jamie Haywood of Guards Polo Club, Irishman Greg Keating and Argentinian high-goaler Santiago Gaztambide - worked harder to keep the crowd amused.
And in the final two chukkas, play heated up as Argentina capitalised on their lead, out-horsing England as their ponies flew fast and furious up and down the famous ground. The gamed finished with a superb shot from Argentine captain Facundo Pieres who dribbled the ball down the field and between the posts in the closing seconds to finish 12-5.
Luke Tomlinson said afterwards: "It's been a great experience for us and that's what we hoped to get out of it."
Umpiring was former 10-goaler Memo Gracida from Mexico and Jose Dononso, who said: "The result wasn't a reflection of the game - for me the game was much more even. It was a great demonstration of skills from the Argentines - England did their best but they were playing against the best in the world."
The great Cambiaso was also generous in his comments: "Both teams were slipping about because the field was difficult. The horsepower made a little difference, but the other team were well mounted too. In the end, it was us who scored the goals."
Former England nine-goaler Julian Hipwood, who captained England in the 1984 Coronation Cup, when Cartier first sponsored International Day, said: "Our boys did a great job today and they will benefit from it."
Chief executive of the Hurlingham Polo Association David Woodd said: "Our team played really well - they never gave up and I don't think the score reflected the game; they needed more luck and to make the most of their opportunities which they did not do. However, they were playing the two best players in the world, and no other team has taken on that challenge before. Facundo Pieres and Adolfo Cambiaso are really worth more than 10 goals and their team mates played well above their 3 goal handicaps as well."
Prior to the game, VIP guests from the world of film, TV and sport were entertained in the Cartier marquee and enjoyed a sumptuous lunch prepared by leading Swiss chef Anton Mosimann.
England:
1, James Beim (7)
2, Mark Tomlinson (6)
3, Malcolm Borwick (6)
4, Luke Tomlinson (7).
Argentina:
1, Gustavo Usandizaga (3)
2, Martin Valent (3)
3, Adolfo Cambiaso (10)
4, Facundo Pieres (10).
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