Privilege/Gracida International, BTA Register Victories to Clinch Divisional Crowns in Ylvisaker Cup Action at International Polo Club
WELLINGTON, FL (February 7, 2007) – Carlos Gracida scored seven goals, five in the second half, as Privilege/Gracida International rallied from a two-goal halftime deficit to defeat Black Watch 13-11 in a 22-goal Ylvisaker Cup presented by Cartier match Wednesday at International Polo Club Palm Beach. The victory clinched the Division II crown for Privilege/Gracida International.
In another game, BTA trounced Laurence-Wallace 14-7 behind six goals by Fred Mannix Jr. to capture the Division I title.
With the loss, Black Watch finishes second in Division II and plays defending champion New Bridge La Dolfina, led by 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso, Saturday at 3 p.m. in a quarterfinal match.
In a quarterfinal match on Sunday, Privilege/Gracida International plays the winner of today’s (Thursday’s) contest between Audi (1-1) and the Broncos (1-1).
Privilege/Gracida International used a strong fourth chukker, scoring four consecutive goals, two each by Gracida and Kris Kampsen, to take a 10-8 lead.
Black Watch cut the margin to one-goal twice, the last time at 12-11 on a 40-yard forehand by Figueras with 3:09 remaining. Gracida’s 30-yard penalty shot made it 13-11 with 1:57 remaining.
Ten-goaler Facundo Pieres of Black Watch missed a 60-yard penalty shot with 1:25 left and they could not get another shot the rest of the game.
Pieres led Black Watch with eight goals and Figueras finished with two goals. Nicolas Pieres and patron Neil Hirsch did not score.
In a quarterfinal match on Sunday, BTA plays the loser on the Lechuza Caracas vs. San Saba match.
BTA scored four consecutive goals, two each by Mannix Jr. and Jeff Hall, to snap a 5-5 tie and coasted to victory. Laurence-Wallace never got closer than four goals the rest of the game.
The victory may be costly as patron Kelly Beal of Midland, Texas, injured his right arm with 4:41 left in the sixth chukker. He was replaced by his wife, Chrys.
Hall finished with five goals and Daniel Roenisch added three goals for BTA. Neither Kelly nor Chrys Beal scored.
Mike Azzaro led Laurence-Wallace (1-1) with three goals while Luis Escobar and Pelon Escapite added two goals apiece. Patron Elizabeth Iorio did not score.
In a quarterfinal match on Sunday, Laurence-Wallace plays the winner of Lechuza Caracas against San Saba.
The tournament continues today (Thursday) with a doubleheader beginning at noon when Audi (1-1) plays the Broncos (1-1) followed by Lechuza Caracas (1-0) against San Saba (1-0) at 2 p.m. The final of the Ylvisaker Cup presented by Cartier is scheduled for Sunday, February 18 at 3 p.m. on Stanford Field.
The Ylvisaker Cup in named in honor of William T. “Bill” Ylvisaker, a polo pioneer who founded Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in the late 1970s, bringing the sport to the forefront in Palm Beach County. A former Chairman of the USPA, Ylvisaker was elected into the Polo Hall of Fame in 1996. Ylvisaker has won numerous major polo tournaments, including the prestigious U.S. Open in 1972.
The polo matches are open to the public. General admission for the Sunday games at International Polo Club Palm Beach is $10 for adults. Children under 12 enter for free. Tickets may be purchased at the gate on the day of the game or in advance at the stadium box office.
International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South, between Pierson Road and Lake Worth Road in Wellington. For information, directions or ticket purchases, please call the club at (561) 204-5687 or visit the website at www.internationalpoloclub.com.
Past champions
2006 – New Bridge La Dolfina defeated Skeeterville 15-14
2005 – Pony Express defeated Airstream 11-6
2004 – Crab Orchard defeated Black Watch 13-8
2003 – C Spear defeated Outback 11-9
Standings
Division I
Team W-L GF GA
Laurence-Wallace 1-1 19 25
BTA 2-0 25 16
Bendabout 0-2 20 23
Division II
Team W-L GF GA
Privilege/Gracida International 2-0 27 20
Black Watch 1-1 25 26
Skeeterville 0-2 22 28
Division III
Team W-L GF GA
San Saba 1-0 12 11
Lechuza Caracas 1-0 15 14
Patagones 0-2 25 26
Division IV
Team W-L GF GA
New Bridge La Dolfina 2-0 25 20
Audi 1-1 29 23
Broncos 1-1 20 26
Pony Express 0-2 17 22
Wednesday’s results
BTA 14, Laurence-Wallace 7
Privilege/Gracida International 13, Black Watch 11
Scoring Leaders
Player/Team Games Goals
Facundo Pieres, Black Watch 2 17
Gonzalito Pieres, Audi 2 14
Jeff Hall, BTA 2 13
Kris Kampsen, Privilege/Gracida Int’l 2 13
Julio Arellano, Skeeterville 2 12
Adolfo Cambiaso, New Bridge La Dolfina 2 12
Guille Aguero, Patagones 2 11
Miguel Novillo Astrada, Bendabout 2 11
Carlos Gracida, Privilege/Gracida Int’l 2 11
Paco de Narvaez, San Saba 1 10
Tomas Goti, Pony Express 2 10
Pite Merlos, Lechuza Caracas 1 9
Brandon Phillips, Audi 2 9