WELLINGTON, FL—Audi overcame a three goal advantage by Pony Express in the final three minutes to capture their first Piaget Gold Cup bracket win 12-11 and Zacara outscored Orchard Hill 14-8 at International Polo Club Palm Beach today.
On the International Field it was Jeff Hall of Zacara, who was named the games MVP, that got his team rolling early as he scored the first four goals and assisted on the fifth to put his team up 5-1 after two chukkers. By the half, teammate Carlos Gracida added another four goals and Zacara went into the break with a comfortable 9-2 lead.
“We played well in the fourth but against this team you need more than one good chukker,” said Orchard Hill’s Pablo MacDonough. In that chukker Orchard Hill held Zacara scoreless and closed the gap to 9-6.
Hall when asked his thoughts on an Orchard Hill comeback said, “Of course we thought they could do it. We changed what we were doing in the last two chukkers and they just couldn’t catch us.” Zacara added four unanswered goals in the fifth and Orchard Hill was only able to capitalize twice in the final chukker.
Pony Express came out very strong in the opening chukkers and led by as many as six goals. Audi continued to chip away at that lead but, shortly after the start of the final chukker found themselves down 11-8 as Pony Express’ Nick Roldan scored his third goal of the afternoon. At the four minute mark Pony Express fouled and Facundo Pieres was able to convert the penalty shot narrowing the gap to 11-9. From that point it was all Audi as Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres combined for the next three goals and with two minutes left had taken the lead 12-11 for the first time in the game. Pony Express had a charge going with just over a minute remaining but the ball jumped Roldan’s mallet and Facundo intercepted and ran down the clock for the victory.
Piaget Gold Cup tournament play continues this week with five games. Wednesday, March 18, 1 PM Lechuza Caracas plays Black Watch, 3PM White Birch plays Las Monjitas, March 19, 3 PM Pony Express vs Orchard Hill, 5 PM Audi vs Zacara, March 21, 3PM Lechuza Caracas vs. Las Monjitas and Sunday, March 22, 10 AM, Audi vs Orchard Hill, 12 noon, Pony Express vs Zacara and at 3 PM on the International Field and Stadium White Birch vs. Black Watch.
The USPA Gold Cup has been played since 1974 and 2009 marks the third year it is being played at International Polo Club Palm Beach. This year the eight team field has been divided into two brackets. First and second place from each bracket will cross play in the semi finals and the winners move to the Gold Cup Final on Sunday March 29.
International Polo is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington and hosts professional polo tournaments through April and all are invited to attend. The premier game of the week is played at 3 PM every Sunday on the International Field and Stadium. Information can be obtained by calling the polo hotline at 561-282-5290 or on the web at www.internationalpoloclub.com.
Audi 0-1-2-3-2-4=12 (F.Pieres 5)
Zacara 3-2-4-0-4-1=14 (Hall, Gracida 6
Pony Express 2-5-0-1-2-1=11 (M. Magrini 5)
Orchard Hill 1-0-1-4-0-2=8 MacDonough 8