Valkenswaard United hold the advantage in the Miami leg of the Global Champions League after coming out on top in tonight’s first round with the only double-clear of the contest.

Once again it was Alberto Zorzi on Cornetto K and Bertram Allen with Hector van d’Abdijhoeve who did the business for the reigning league champions, with Allen, as last to go, clinching top spot with the team’s second clear to deny Doha Fursan Qatar, who finished on a team total of just two faults for time.

London Knights took third place with a total of four faults.

Cian O’Connor’s Miami Glory team were represented by Scott Brash, who had four faults with Ursula XII, and Georgina Bloomberg who had eight with Manodie II H to finish in 11th place.

Darragh Kenny made his Global Champions League debut for Paris Panthers and finished with just a time fault on Gasper van den Droon, but team-mate Jennifer Gates and Lufticus S incurred 13 faults to leave the team in 14th ahead of Saturday.

It was another tough night for Michael Kearins who had 24 faults with Severly Hille as his team Moscow Bears finished lowest of the 18 on 46 faults.

The second round of the Miami leg takes place on Saturday evening with scores carried from tonight’s event. Valkenswaard are already on top of the league having won last week’s opening competition in Mexico City.

Mike Dunne