Dubai: Ghantoot Polo successfully defended the McLaren Cup with a compelling 7-5 win over Desert Palm 2 at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club (DPEC) last Friday.
The victory was the third for Ghantoot Polo following their triumph in the McLaren Cup in 2014 while also winning the Dubai Gold Cup last season.
Ghantoot patron Yousuf Bin Dasmal and Argentinean professional Juan Gris Zavaleta were named the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) of the final, while Media Negra, with Zavaleta on board was adjudged the BPP (Best Playing Pony) of the final.
The Ghantoot foursome were not always in control, especially at the start of the match as they first trailed 1-2 at the end of the opening chukka and then 2-3 at the end of the second.
But led by Dasmal and with Zavaleta combining with fellow Argentinean Alejandro Muzzio, Ghantoot Polo dug deep, enthralling the holiday crowd with some excellent polo to lead 5-3 by the end of the third chukka. In the fourth chukka, Ghantoot managed just one goal while Desert Palm 2 scored a couple. However, Zavaleta scored one last time to put Ghantoot clear and then resorted to some clever defending to earn a well-deserved win.
Meanwhile, Habtoor Polo claimed the Hildon Cup 2015 after defeating Abu Dhabi 9-7 in the subsidiary final. Led by patron Mohammad Al Habtoor, the Habtoor team controlled the game from the start to lead in all four chukkas to finish off in style.
Habtoor Polo’s inspiration once again was Guillermo Cuitiño who ensured the main organiser’s team always held on to a two-goal advantage in all chukkas. In the penultimate chukka, the gap went up to four goals at 9-4, till Abu Dhabi fought back with three goals in the final chukka to go down with a fight.
The next major competition at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club will be the ten-team Julius Baer Gold Cup from February 23 to March 13.
