As I drove into La Picaza I could see the polo club was abuzz with people. The posts were in place and the players were on the field in front of the clubhouse. The sideline opposite the clubhouse was, as usual, lined with sponsor’s banners but on this day it was also from end to end lined with cars and spectators. The clubhouse itself was decked out for a party; sponsor tents; a presentation stage; field-side tables, chairs, couches and sun umbrellas with beautiful women wandering amongst it all serving La Merced mate to the spectators.
Finally, after parking the car, wandering to the clubhouse, saying some hellos and receiving a La Merced mate kit I settled down to watch the polo match already in progress. I was grateful to find a spot in the shade and also that I had a friend to serve the mate as I tapped out my notes on my iPhone.
The first chukka of Power Horse vs Los Cocos closed with a score of 4-2 in favour of Los Cocos, a good start against a strong Power Horse squad. Power Horse’s strength was on display to begin the second chukka however and with a quick penalty conversion and another goal from the field the game was tied at 4. Then Santiago Marambio was in control of the ball and working it downfield to score and take the lead for Power Horse at 5-4. Los Cocos must not have cared much for that as they quickly corralled the ball and sent it to a streaking Rafael Zubillaga out in front for a goal to tie the match up again, this time at 5. On the offensive again Los Cocos drew a foul which Diego Cavanagh converted to regain the lead at 6-5 before the chukka ended.
The third chukka saw Los Cocos continuing to pressure the defence of Power Horse as they opened with a quick goal to extend their lead to 7-5. Then again they pressed, this time Power Horse turned them back but Cavanagh was the quicker to the ball, he turned it and shot to goal further extending Los Cocos’ lead, 8-5. Los Cocos was controlling the field, again with the ball they were fouled and Cavanagh converted the penalty to make it 9-5. Power Horse needed something to turn the momentum and finally it was Marambio converting a penalty to cut into Los Cocos’ lead by one and end the chukka 9-6.
The sun sinking towards the horizon was making this match more difficult to watch so I took advantage of the halftime break to weave around the photographers, grooms, horses and other spectators to the other side of the polo field where I settled in with the sun at my back to watch the second half of the match.
Power Horse began the second half wanting to keep the momentum from their last goal and kept the pressure on, looking for the slightest crack in Los Cocos’ defence. They found just that, the slightest of cracks, as Los Cocos defended and turned them back from their goal a mallet reached out and just tagged a nearside open back-shot that split the uprights to bring Power Horse within two, 9-7. Los Cocos battled back and eventually Cavanagh worked the ball to goal to take Los Cocos’ to a lead of 10-7.
A close checking affair, neither team really finding the room to run as all the players on the field were taking their man on defence and often on offence as well as they tried to clear the defender from the ball handler. Back and forth in this fashion they went until Power Horse struck again with a pass from Guillermo Terrera to Marambio who finished from the field to end the chukka 10-8, still in favour of Los Cocos.
Santiago Marambio began the fifth chukka as he finished the fourth, going to goal and finishing to close the gap to one for Power Horse, 10-9. Only one more goal was to be scored in the chukka and it was on a penalty conversion by Cavanagh to bring the score to 11-9 in favour of Los Cocos. Power Horse was looking at a two goal deficit going into the sixth and final chukka of regulation, would they be able to overcome it?
Power Horse to goal to begin the sixth, Los Cocos turns them back, this time Terrera the quicker to the ball and he turned, shot and scored, 11-10. Again Terrera with the ball, Martin Joaquin of Los Cocos trying to take him out but the patron of Power Horse, Walter Scherb, preventing that by taking Joaquin out. Great team play by both squads but Power Horse eventually crossed up the Los Cocos defence and drew a foul which Marambio converted to tie the game at 11! Marambio again, this time from the field and Power Horse had the lead, 12-11! Los Cocos behind with time ticking down, Cavanagh controlled the ball at the boards and worked his way to the Power Horse goal he was fouled…he converted…12-12! The chukka would end with both teams battling at mid-field neither able to break free of the other…overtime would decide this match.
The way this match had been going it looked like the first team to find open space would also find the goal and take the championship. Who was it going to be? Out of the umpire’s hand came the ball, into the melee of players, a back shot by Los Cocos, Tomas Lalor streaked from the inside to the ball, Power Horse quick to follow the line…foul! A penalty from the spot for Power Horse, deep in their own end they had much of the field to go before goal…Terrera struck it long…Marambio on the run…first to the ball…an approach shot…a shot…a golden goal for Marambio!!! 13-12 Power Horse!!!
What a fantastic match! Now it was time to make my way back across the pitch to the presentation and the party!
MVP…Santiago Marambio
Best Playing Pony…La Gambeta (Guillermo Terrera’s horse)
Thanks for reading!
Chau for now.
Dylan Foster