Argentina extends unbeaten Coronation Cup record

It was predicted to be an uphill battle facing the England team as they vied for an historic first victory against Argentina in the Coronation Cup, and that it was for captain Tommy Beresford and the team of Matt Perry, Ollie Cudmore, and James Harper. It was not to be this year, as Argentina dominated to streak to a record seventh victory in this match, adding to their previous tally of wins in 1953, 1995, 2000, 2009, 2014, and 2019.

Argentina started with a goal on the board owing to the handicap difference – England’s 27 versus Argentina’s 26 – and the visiting team swiftly drew ahead to lead 3-0 by the end of the opening chukka on the Queen’s Ground. It was Ollie Cudmore who finally got England on the board in the second chukka, flying down the field to receive a pass from Matt Perry, who had picked up a big hit from Tommy Beresford, with Ollie making a fantastic angled shot to bring the score to 4-1. Argentina quickly answered to make the score 5-1 going into the third chukka, where they added just one more goal to lead 6-1 at half time.

England came back stronger in the second half, putting 3 more goals on the board, but Argentina – bolstered by some unbelievable horsepower – maintained their lead to finish the third chukka at 8-4. In the fifth chukka, England drew as close at 8-5, but the early lead proved uncatchable as the Argentine team drew ahead to 11-5 with just the final chukka to go. Argentina added another 2 goals to their tally in the final chukka, before Ollie Cudmore scored the final goal of the game in the last minute to make it 13-6 at the final buzzer.

The star of the game had undoubtedly been the young Rufino Lauhlé, who not only made history as the youngest winner of the Coronation Cup, but also scored an incredible 7 goals for Argentina and stepped forward to receive the Most Valuable Player prize, a beautifully crafted saddle presented by Delfin Uranga, President of the AAP, on behalf of La Martina and PoloWorld Inc.

Best Playing Pony, sponsored by Hurlingham Polo Equestrian, was awarded to Irenita Soprano, played by Rufino Laulhé and owned by a visibly thrilled Facundo Sola.

Best Playing ROR, presented by Retraining of Racehorses, was awarded to Matt Perry’s Dark Hedges, a 9-year-old mare by Zebedee formerly trained by Olly Williams.

The Coronation Cup was presented by the Argentina Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mariana Plaza, a fantastic supporter of polo in England who was delighted to lift the trophy alongside captain Hilario Ulloa.

The Gabriel Donoso Trophy, traditionally awarded to the captain of the opposing team, was presented by Gabriel’s daughter Olivia Donoso to Hilario Ulloa.

You can watch the match for free on HPA TV – no sign in required!