Four Quarters Orange lifted the Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Windsor Cup in late June for the fourth time, making them one of only three teams that has won this historic trophy more than three times in the past 68 years. Simon Arber’s team had to work hard for this 7-6 victory on The Queen’s Ground though as their opposition, Dubai Polo Team, fought back strongly in the second half of this 15-goal final.
It had looked remarkably straightforward for Four Quarters Orange in the first half. An impressive partnership between Ignacio Negri and Simon Prado, who was later named the Out-Sourcing Inc. Most Valuable Player, saw Four Quarters leading 6-2 up at half-time. Dubai struggled to keep possession of the ball and tensions showed on the field, with Carlos Maria Ulloa receiving a yellow card for disagreeing with the umpires in the third.
As the spectators returned to their seats for the second half it looked as if this match was pretty much decided. Dubai had other ideas. Eager to repeat the team’s success from 1995, Javier Guerrero singlehandedly brought Dubai back into contention in the fourth. Two penalties and a field goal from this five-goal player not only raised Dubai’s hopes but kept Four Quarters off the scoreboard too.
The fifth and final chukka delivered some fast, end-to-end polo and when Ulloa successfully converted a penalty to take the scores level (6-6), there was a hint that this game may go into extra time. However, Four Quarters Orange quickly regained their advantage thank to a successful penalty off the stick of Negri. With the clock now ticking down Guerrero had a fast run to goal, much to the delight of the crowd, but the bell rang out before he could reach the goalposts, ensuring an historic victory for Four Quarters Orange, adding their name to the trophy that they won in 2014, 2016, 2020.
It was a fitting second half to what is the UK’s leading 15-goal tournament, sponsored by Out-Sourcing Inc. for the past six years. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by Nicholas Tubbs, CEO of Out-Sourcing UK Ltd and David M. Matsumoto, Representative and Partner of the Out-Sourcing Group, presented the prizes, including the Best Playing Pony prize to one of Simon Prado’s favourite ponies, Power Corazon Valiente, an eight-year-old chestnut mare.
The sub final, for the Mountbatten Cup, which was played earlier in the day, saw Ferne Park/Cowdray Vikings looking to defend their title. Jean Paul Luksic had other ideas though and his Gaston team won this contest 7-6, the same winning score as the main final. Luksic was also named the Most Valuable Player.
The Royal Windsor Cup is the Club’s oldest tournament, first played for in 1955. So it is fitting that the Club, in partnership with Out-Sourcing Inc. creates a finals day to remember. This year’s event was no exception thanks to a breathtaking pony stunt riding display from Karl Ude Martinez’s Knights of Middle England and a wonderful carriage driving display from the British Driving Society.
Four Quarters Orange: Simon Arber (0); Cruz Novillo Astrada (4); Ignacio Negri (6); Simon Prado (5). Dubai Polo Team: Rashid Albwardy (2); Carlos Maria Ulloa (6); Josh Hyde (2); Javier Guerrero (5).
Gaston: Jean Paul Luksic (1); Toby Bradshaw (2); Louis Hine (5); Cruz Heguy (7). Ferne Park/Cowdray Vikings: Vere Harmsworth (1); George Pearson (2); Tom Brodie (5); Joaquin Pittaluga (7).
