The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder

Rodrigo had a lot of help. It took part of 7,  but it was Rodrigo Fernandez of La Herradura making the golden goal against a very strong Nacho Badiola to win it all. It was the finals of the USPA Intra Circuit for the Pacific Coast Circuit at the Santa Barbara Polo Club. It was a dandy.  The refs played the game as well, leaving the nit picking home and blowing when needed.  It was so much faster and exciting. The game got off to a good start. At the end of one it was 2 all. Memo and the Fernandez’s got up at the end of 2,  but Luchesse took control of the third and stopped the Mexican machine 3 to 0.  They took the lead in the middle at 5 to 3, but we know Memo is always hard to beat in the 4th. Today was the same as he went on to win chukkar 3 to 2 to in the last 2 seconds of the 4th. They tied the 5th  and it was 8 t0 9 start of the 6th chukker.  LH went up by 1 in the 6th only to see Luc come back and tie it and send it to overtime.

It looked like a quick win for LUC. in the extra chukker,  but a foul in the front of goal on offense stopped Luc. and they battled on. It wasn’t until a short breakaway that the game changed.  It was all Rodrigo barreling down the field with a big stick on him and then … wow a nearside neck shot right through it all. GAME TIME was over and the trophy heads to Monterrey, Mx.

WELL DONE RODRIGO AND THANKS TO THE FERNANDEZ’S FOR COMING TO SANTA BARBARA. I HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK, OR JUST STICK AROUND AND WIN THE HIGH GOAL.

In the Consolation Finals it was Film Fiance against another newcomer Hawk Hill. I must say I missed another Young Gun earlier, Phil, who sat down and let son Ian Mactaggart play. He is a definite bullet as all young guns.  He had a great game in a loss, but he will be a mjor force soon. Well done Ian M.

It was Leigh Brecheen and crew taking the Silver Cup today. We had a great crowd for the finals, but as a man who knows told me last weekend, this is not the best idea for a club to have a finals first.  I do agree, although, I always did not like the fact that the Finalist did not get to play on the best field. However, the crowd leaves after the first game and that is kind of sad,  so maybe on any day of finals we just have the finals and make it a huge deal with all the frills a finals deserves.

It was a great ending for the 12 goal on the first day of summer. Congratulations to the finalist. I hope to see you back next year. 

Lucchese 12  //  2-1 runners up
John Muse A                                          
Tete Grahn 3
Nacho Badiola 6
Rob Payne 3

   CHAMPIONS of 2015

La Herradura 12  //  2-1  
Alvaro Fernandez A
Julio Gracida 4
Memo Gracida 6
Rodrigo Fernandez 2

 

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