By Alex Webbe
Tommy Biddle scored three of his six goals in the final chukker enroute to an 8-7 win over Pony Express in the finals of the Tackeria Spring Invitational at the Grand Champions Polo Club Sunday, May 18.
“They played well,” said Biddle, who led all scorers. “They really gave us a run for it,” he added.
Pony Express received one goal by handicap and quickly made it 2-0 as Nick Roldan knocked in the opening goal of the game. A resolute Pony Express defense turned away several Audi drives, shutting out the talented foursome in the opening period.
The second chukker belonged to Audi with long drives and ball control setting the stage for a defensive effort that shut down the Pony Express attack, knotting the game at 2-2.
Roldan’s second goal of the match made it 3-2, but Leo Mandelbaum countered with a score-tying goal. Both teams left the field deadlocked at halftime at 3-3.
Roldan opened the fourth chukker with a goal to put Pony Express back on top, but the one-goal lead would be short-lived. A converted penalty shot by Bollini was followed by another Biddle goal, and the period ended with Audi on top, 5-4.
Brad Scherer tied it again with a goal in the fifth chukker, and team captain Bob Daniels tapped the ball in with a difficult nearside neck shot at speed as it was racing toward the end line. Pony Express on top 6-5.
A recharged Audi returned to the field for the final chukker pressing the attack as Biddle scored one goal from the field and another on a penalty shot to tie and then take the lead again. Roldan scored his fourth goal of the game on a penalty shot for a 7-7 tie, but with time running down Biddle notched his sixth goal of the contest for the 8-7 victory.
Audi’s Tommy Biddle was named Pro MVP while Bob Daniels received Amateur MVP honors.
In earlier round-robin competition, Black Watch won the consolation round with a 1-0-1 record. GTP was 1-1 and Southfields finished with a 0-1-1 record.
Black Watch managed a 5-4 win over GTP and a 4-4 tie with Southfields. GTP lost to Black Watch 5-4 while Southfields and Black Watch tied at 4-4.
Marc Ganzi and Kris Kampsen led all scoring with five goals apiece for GTP. Hector Galindo led Black Watch with four goals. Teammates Neil Hirsch and Gonzalo Del Tour each scored two goals, and Martin Pepa added a single goal for the winning team.
Diego Arellano led Southfields with three goals. Teammates John Gobin, Sunny Hale and J. J. Celis scored two goals each.
Tournament play will continue with six teams scheduled to compete in the Polo Gear Invitational, May 22-25. Teams and playing schedules to be announced.