By Alex Webbe
Pony Express jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on the strength of two goals from Nick Roldan, but GTP Polo slowly clawed its way back into the game.
Kris Kampsen finally got GTP on the scoreboard in the second chukker, but Brad Scherer scored to keep Pony Express on top by two goals, 3-1. Marc Ganzi scored the last goal of the chukker, and GTP trailed by a single goal, 3-2.
GTP’s defense stiffened in the third period as both teams struggled to put the ball between the goal posts. Diego Arellano scored the only goal of the chukker for GTP to knot it up at 3-3 at the end of the first half.
Goals from Arellano and Marc Ganzi’s put GTP on top for the first time all day, 5-3, but goals from John Gobin and Roldan evened it again at 5-5. Kampsen converted a penalty shot in the waning moments of the chukker, and GTP Polo rode off the field with a 6-5 lead.
The GTP defense stepped it up again in the fifth chukker, shutting out the Pony Express attack while notching goals from Ganzi and Kampsen for an 8-5 advantage.
Bob Daniels converted a penalty shot in the sixth chukker, followed by a goal from the field from Gobin. Ganzi scored the final goal of the game, however, and GTP won a berth in Sunday’s finals with a 9-7 win.
Marc Ganzi led the scoring with four goals. Kris Kampsen scored three times and Diego Arellano added two goals to the win.
Nick Roldan scored three goals to lead the Pony Express attack. John Gobin added two goals and teammates Brad Scherer and Bob Daniels added single goals in the loss.
In earlier action, four goals from J. J. Celis helped a balanced Audi attack sink Newport 9-6 in the opening game of the La Martina Cup as the Grand Champions Polo Club got underway at Carlos Arellano’s Southfields polo field in Wellington Friday morning.
Audi jumped out to a 4-1 lead before Newport could get its offense on track, and lead 9-4 by the end of the fifth chukker.
“We just couldn’t finish our plays,” said Newport’s 7-goaler Tommy Biddle. “We carried the ball well, but we couldn’t get it to go between the posts.”
It was the first game of the spring season for many of the horses and players, and although Newport put together several well-coordinated attacks, a deft Audi defense kept the players from scoring.
“I thought the team went well today,” said Audi team captain Melissa Ganzi. “Newport didn’t play a bad game, but a little luck always helps.”
Celis led all scoring with four goals. Teammates Juan Bollini and Branden Phillips scored two goals apiece and Melissa Ganzi added a goal in the win.
Gene Goldstein, Sunny Hale and Tommy Biddle were each held to a single goal with Carlucho Arellano scoring twice. Newport received one goal by handicap.
Action will resume on Sunday, May 11 with a 4 pm contest between Newport and Pony Express. At 6 pm, Audi will face GTP Polo in the championship game.