By Alex Webbe
Coca-Cola and Alegria battled through the first three chukkers of play in what amounted to the last playoff qualifying spot in the 2012 Ylvisaker Cup Tuesday afternoon at the International Polo Club in Wellington, but things went better for Coke as they ran off with a 13-10 win.
In a defensively oriented opening chukker, Sugar Erskine scored the only goal as Coca-Cola took the early lead, 1-0. The pace was fast, with runs by each team up and down the field, but no one seemed to be able to finish their plays.
Naco Taverna tied it up at 1-1 in the early goings of the second period on a great individual effort, carrying the ball 150 yards down the field for a score. Julio Arellano responded for Coca-Cola with a 100 yard shot through the Alegria goal posts and added a penalty conversion as well. Julian Mannix answered back for Alegria, with Coca-Cola protecting a 3-2 lead.
In a demonstration of great horsemanship and expert mallet-work, Erskine scooped up the ball and carried it nearly 180 yards for a goal to put Coca-Cola in front, 4-2 in the third chukker. Peter Von Gontard found himself on the receiving end of a pass from Mariano Aguerre as he added another goal to the Alegria total, 4-3, but Erskine returned the favor to keep Coca-Cola in the lead, 5-3. The final goal of the chukker was scored by Mannix on a beautifully executed offside push shot taken at speed near the backline. Coca-Cola continued to lead, but the margin remained at a single goal, 5-4 as the first half ended.
Coca-Cola owned the field as the second half of play began. Arellano opened it with a pair of goals, the second coming on a play in which he carried the ball nearly 280 yards down the field for a score. Erskine closed out the period with a goal from the field and Coca-Cola extended their lead to four goals, 8-4.
Mannix converted a penalty shot to open the fifth chukker and added a goal from the field, cutting the Coca-Cola lead to 8-6. Coca-Cola continued to press the attack, resulting in Alegria miscues which were capitalized on. Three consecutive penalty conversions from Arellano had Coca-Cola in front, 11-6. Mannix ended the chukker with a penalty goal, but continued to trail by four goals, 11-7.
Gillian Johnston took a pass from Arellano from the opening throw-in of the sixth chukker and scored to put Coke up, 12-7. Arellano scored a goal from the field, and Coca-Cola boasted a six goal lead, 13-7. Aguerre got Alegria back into the scoring column with a goal from the field and Mannix added a penalty goal. Naco Taverna added a final goal as time expired and Coca-Cola celebrated the 13-10 win and a date with Valiente I Friday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the 2012 Ylvisaker Cup.
Arellano led all scoring with eight goals-four from the field and four on penalty shots. Erskine added four goals to the mix and Johnston chipped in a goal in the win.
Mannix accounted for six Alegria goals. Taverna scored twice and Aguerre and Von Gontard each scored once.