By Alex Webbe
JB Capital’s Brian Raymond scored four goals Friday afternoon at the Palm City Polo Club in Boca Raton as JB Capital took a 7-6 game from Boca Developers in the opening round of the Grand Champions 2009 Spring Platinum Cup. The joint tournament alliance was formed by Grand Champions and Palm City to kick off the spring season and give players an opportunity to play on the historic polo fields in Boca Raton.
Rene Hernandez got JB Capital on the board first, but was quickly countered by a goal from Boca Developer’s Brian Street.
The teams remained tied throughout the first half, 1-1 after the first chukker, 2-2 after the second and three goals apiece at halftime.
Boca Developers took advantage of goals from Mariano Fassetta and Diego Cossio in the fourth period to move ahead of JB Capital, 5-4. JB Capital managed a single goal from Brad Blake on a penalty conversion.
Two more goals from Raymond in the fifth chukker were complimented by disciplined defense by JB Capital, shutting out Boca Developers and taking a 6-5 lead.
Defense was the byword for JB Capital in the final frame. Raymond’s fourth goal put them ahead 7-6 before Street finally got Boca Developers on the scoreboard.
It was a case of too little, too late as JB Capital held on for the 7-6 win.
In earlier action on the grounds of the Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Grand Champions White scored a 9-8 win over Grand Champions Black in Platinum Cup action.
In a game that was long on offense and short on defense, Grand Champions White broke the tie for the final time in the sixth chukker on two goals from Gonzalo Pieres and the winning goal from Melissa Ganzi.
Melissa Ganzi led all scoring with five goals. Teammate Gonzalo Pieres added four goals in the win.
Juan Olivera led the Grand Champions Black team with three goals. Marc Ganzi and Facundo Pieres added two goals apiece and Nicolas Pieres chipped in a goal.
The Grand Champions Spring Platinum Cup play will continue on Saturday with the consolation contest between Boca Developers and Grand Champions Black at 10 am on the Grand Champions Polo Club’s fields.
The finals will be played between Grand Champions White and JB Capital on Sunday at 1pm on the Grand Champions fields as well.