VEUVE CLICQUOT GOLD CUP at COWDRAY PARK on SUNDAY 20TH JULY 2008
BY JOANNE HEARN
A capacity crowd of approximately 18,000 spectators descended on Cowdray Park Polo Club to watch what is the pinnacle of English high goal polo, the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup. The Gold Cup was first launched by Viscount Cowdray’s father in 1956 and has been sponsored by Veuve Clicquot for the past fourteen years.
Loro Piana won the Gold Cup Finals. Photo by Nigle Kaye.
Twenty teams entered the tournament this year but the two teams winning their places in the final were Loro Piana (last year’s runners up) and Ellerston, who entered the tournament without their patron, Jamie Packer, who is in Australia with his wife awaiting the birth of their first child.
Loro Piana playing in black were David Stirling (8), Alfio Marchini (2), Juan Martin Nero (10) and at back Jamie Peel (2). Ellerston in white were Max Routledge (2), Gonzalito Pieres (9), Facundo Pieres (10 and at back Tom Barrack (1).
From the start of the match, both teams were very evenly matched but it was David Stirling for Loro Piano who scored the first goal to give them an early lead although Facundo Pieres levelled for Ellerston so at the end of the first chukka the score was 1-1. Juan Martin Nero was on magnificent form and was Loro Piano’s leading goal scorer so by half time they were in the lead by 8-4.
At half time when the crowds spilled out onto the field tom tread the divots, the commentator said that Lord Cowdray was delighted to see so many ladies in pretty dresses treading the divots!
Ellerston came out fighting in the fourth chukka and scored the next three goals to bring them within a goal of Loro Piano but by the sixth chukka Loro Piano had again widened the gap to 11-9. A 40 yard penalty shot by Facundo Pieres ensured another goal for Ellerston but the Veuve Clicquot clock ticked and time ran out for Ellerston as the final hooter sounded and Loro Piano won the Gold Cup.