Four teams, three of which held perfect 3-0 records, showed up ready for battle on Wednesday in order to qualify for the Joe Barry Cup final at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida.
While all fought fiercely for a place in the final showdown, in the end Villa del Lago Modere beat Coca-Cola 10-6, and Tonkawa defeated La Indiana 17-9. The results mean that Modere will face Tonkawa on Sunday, January 28, at 3:00pm ET in the final of the Joe Barry Memorial.
VILLA DEL LAGO/MODERE 10-6 COCA COLA
In the first half, Coca-Cola held their own against Modere with strong defensive plays, blocking Modere’s attempts to score and forcing them to take difficult shots on goal. Modere fought back, but was unable to complete several plays, resulting in a low-scoring first half. Coca-Cola worked well as a team, capitalizing on both field and penalty shots, and maintained a narrow lead going into the half 4-3.
Characterized by noticeably choppy play and penalties, the second half gave way to an onslaught of goals by 10-goaler Ulloa. Ranked as third highest scorer of the tournament with 21 total goals, Ulloa played with strategic skill. Capitalizing on Coca-Cola’s mistakes in the fourth chukka, he expertly scored three unanswered goals on his young mare Charlotte, recently brought from Argentina. Unable to shut down Modere’s momentum, Coca-Cola would only see two additional goals before the end of the game. Ulloa heroically scored eight of his team’s total ten goals. A final run to goal by Obregon ended the sixth chukka and sealed the win for Modere 10-6.
Villa del Lago/Modere: Jim Zenni A, Agustín Obregon 5, Hilario Ulloa 10 (8 goals), Jared Zenni 5 (2).
Coca-Cola: Gillian Johnston 2 (2 goals), Sugar Erskine 6, Julio Arellano 8 (2), Steve Krueger 4 (2).
Score Villa del Lago/Modere: 1-0, 1-2, 3-4, 6-4, 8-5, 10-6.
TONKAWA 17-9 LA INDIANA
Tonkawa and La Indiana each stepped onto the field with hopes to continue their winning streak. Early in the game, both teams were goal for goal, but Tonkawa soon gained the lead and didn’t look back. Blazing fast plays, broken mallets and nonstop action occurred from start to finish, with Tonkawa pulling ahead at an unexpected pace. Scoring four incredible goals before the end of the second chukka, Julian de Lusarreta let his horses go full out, devouring the field with every stride to goal. At halftime the score stood 7-4 in favor of Tonkawa.
Moving into the second half, the game continued with rapid succession, Tonkawa taking full advantage of every La Indiana misstep. Every player on Tonkawa contributed to the team’s tally, however 10-goaler Sapo Caset demonstrated his superhuman abilities on the field with impeccable accuracy. Caset delivered expected results, he was in superb form, taking his horses way out in front and nailing three consecutive goals in the fourth, followed by Hildebrand’s second goal of the game. Almost doubling La Indiana’s score after an intense six chukkas of play, Tonkawa garnered the second Joe Barry Cup Final spot 17-9.
Tonkawa: Jeff Hildebrand A (2 goals), Sterling Giannico 3 (2), Sapo Caset 10 (8), Julián de Lusarreta 7 (5).
La Indiana: Michael Bickford 2 (1 goal), Toro Ruiz 5 (2), Facundo Obregon 6 (5), Jeff Hall 7 (1).
Score Tonkawa: 3-3, 7-4, 9-6, 13-6, 14-9, 17-9.
BOBBY BARRY CUP (SUBSIDIARY)
PILOT 12-10 POSTAGE STAMP
Pilot: Curtis Pilot A, Timmy Dutta 1 (2 goals), Gonzalito Pieres 9 (4), Facundo Pieres 10 (6).
Postage Stamp: Annabelle Gundlach 0 (1 goal), Brandon Phillips 5 (4), Mariano Aguerre 9 (3), Kris Kampsen 6 (1) (Joaquín Panelo 6, 1 goal).
Score Pilot: 1-2, 4-3, 10-3, 11-5, 11-8, 12-10.
GOOSE CREEK 14-11 TRAVIESO
Goose Creek: Maureen Brennan 1, Peke González 5 (1 goal), Mariano González 7 (10), Matías Magrini 7 (3).
Travieso: Juanse Olivera 1, Tony Calle 3 (2 goals), Sebastián Merlos 9 (5), Tomás García del Río 7 (4).
Score Goose Creek: 2-2, 4-3, 8-5, 9-7, 10-10, 14-11.
Sunday’s order of play will be as follows:
12pm, Bobby Barry Cup (Subsidiary): Pilot vs Goose Creek
3pm, JOE BARRY MEMORIAL FINAL: Tonkawa vs Villa del Lago Modere