
Cottington Cup 2022
2 - 13 Aug
2 - 13 Aug
5 Aug
The only game on the fifth day of the
Talacrest Prince of Wales’s Championship featured an undefeated Vikings squad against
the 1-1 Park Place team in a crucial match for semi-final positioning. A
swarming defence from Park Place set the early tone in the match as Vikings
were held to zero field goals on just five shots throughout the entire first
half. Racing ahead early, Juan Britos opened the scoring, but it was Sam Wisbey
in the number one position who made a significant impact, sending back-to-back
goals through the posts to give Park Place a 3-0 lead. Holding Vikings
scoreless for the second consecutive chukka, Park Place extended their lead
further when Hilario Ulloa found Santos Merlos at the end of a pass for the
only attack in what was a defensive battle. Wisbey’s third goal of the contest
ended a five-goal run for Park Place as Vikings finally found the scoreboard thanks
to a Penalty 3 conversion from Isidro Strada.
Trailing 5-1 out of the half-time break, Vikings reorganised and turned to some exceptional defensive play of their own to keep Park Place off the scoreboard throughout the fourth and fifth chukkas. The result was a determined comeback, with Strada adding two more penalty conversions and Juan Martin Zubia adding two goals from the field, the first two of the match for the Vikings. The Vikings then completed a five-goal run that left the score tied at 5-all entering the final chukka. Quiet throughout much of this game and yet to score, Ulloa came alive in the deciding sixth chukka, scoring back-to-back goals from the penalty line and the field to put Park Place ahead by two. Vikings attempted a second comeback, but time expired and they were handed their first loss of the tournament, joining Park Place with a 2-1 record entering semi-final play. Matches resume this weekend with a game on both Saturday and Sunday to conclude the group play.