Santa Clara and La Indiana both claimed debut victories in the first leg of The Gauntlet of Polo, the CV Whitney Cup, at International Polo Club Palm Beach. The tournament sees nine teams, up to 22 goals, compete.
First up, Santa Clara defeated Cessna. The latter managed to maintain a slight lead throughout the five chukkas of play, while Santa Clara fought back.They eventually tied the match (9-all) in the fifth chukka, before Miguel Novillo Astrada scored two goals in the last to give Santa Clara their first win of the tournament.
Next, La Indiana (received one goal on handicap), recent winners of the 2020 USPA Gold Cup (which resumed this year after being postponed last season), fought hard against Park Place to take a tight 15-14 OT victory. Park Place got off to a superb start, claiming a commanding 4-1 lead at the end of the first chukka. However, La Indiana made a gradual comeback. In the sixth, Nico Escobar (2) and Polito Pieres (1) scored to tie the match 14-all, forcing an extra chukka, where Jeff Hall put the ball through posts to secure La Indiana’s victory.
The final is scheduled for Sunday, March 7.
The Gauntlet of Polo is streamed live on GLOBAL POLO.
SANTA CLARA: Will Johnston 2 (2 goals), Pipe Vercellino 6 (4), Miguel Novillo Astrada 9 (3), Luis Escobar 5 (3). Total: 22.
CESSNA: Chip Campbell 2 (2 goals), Ezequiel Martínez Ferrario 7 (2), Nino Obregón 7 (1), Jared Zenni 6 (5). Total: 22.
Score Santa Clara: 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, 7-9, 9-9, 12-10.
LA INDIANA: Leon Schwencke 1 (2 goals; Jeff Hall 6 (2), Polito Pieres 10 (7), Nico Escobar 4 (3). Total: 21.
PARK PLACE: Jack Whitman 0, Juan Britos 8 (3 goals), Hilario Ulloa 10 (7), Matt Coppola 4 (4). Total: 22.
Score La Indiana (+1): 1-4, 5-6, 6-7, 9-11, 12-11, 14-14, 15-14.
The CV Whitney Cup continues on Saturday, February 20:
11am: Tonkawa vs. Coca Cola
IMAGES: AGUSTINA FONDA