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Talandracas Win in Debut Against BP Polo

The second game of the opening day in the Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship featured a complete team performance to capture the 13-8 victory over BP Polo on the Lawns Ground at Cowdray Park Polo Club. Showcasing an organized defense that limited BP Polo to just one goal in each of the first four chukkas, Talandracas was able to build a lead and effectively manage it throughout the match. Despite BP Polo matching Talandracas’ efforts from the field, the difference in the game came from the penalty line, where the trio of Camilo Castagnola, Diego Cavanagh and Marcos Araya combined to convert six of their seven attempts. A scary moment in the fifth chukka saw a collision that forced BP Polo’s 10-goaler Juan Martin Nero from the game, leaving Nico Pieres to finish in his place. After conceding the first goal, Talandracas led the rest of the way in the five-goal victory.

Just 35 seconds into the game, Nero intercepted a pass around midfield and ran it straight in for the first goal of the game, but that would be the only offense BP Polo could produce for nearly 15 minutes of play. Resetting, Talandracas took control of the game by converting two penalties in the first chukka and then relying on the scoring proficiency of Castagnola to shoot an efficient 3 for 5 from the field in the second chukka to score six unanswered goals. A goal from BP Polo’s Alejandro Muzzio ended the run on the final play of the chukka but left them facing a 6-2 deficit. Araya and Muzzio traded goals for their respective teams leaving the difference at four entering the second half.

End-to-end polo was featured in the fourth chukka as both teams exited the halftime break looking to generate offense. Talandracas inched further ahead after Araya found the goal and was quickly followed by a Penalty 2 conversion from Castagnola. James Beh left the ball for Muzzio for BP Polo’s lone goal of the chukka as they struggled to match the pace of Talandracas, trailing 9-4 with two chukkas remaining. Play came to a halt after a head-on collision left an injured Nero down and forced from the game in the fifth chukka. After the stoppage, Nico Pieres stepped into the saddle for Nero to finish the game, but the result was nearly secured as Talandracas added three penalty conversions to lead by seven. Two final goals from BP Polo produced the only offense of the final chukka as Talandracas captured the 13-8 victory to begin their tournament.