By Alex Webbe
Team captain Gillian Johnston scored six goals as Bendabout (1-0) downed a talented young Lechuza Caracas (0-1) team 13-12 to score an opening win over Lechuza Caracas in Hall of Fame Cup action at the International Polo Club in Wellington Friday afternoon.
Lechuza received four goals by handicap from the 26-goal Bendabout team and led through the first five chukkers of the match, but a game Bendabout team clawed its way back into competition.
A balanced attack saw every member of the Bendabout team scoring, with team captain Gillian Johnston leading the way with a team high six goals. Miguel Astrada scored three times and Nacho Astrada and Mariano Gonzalez each scored twice for the win.
The 22-goal Lechuza team had been dazzling more powerful teams throughout the last two tournaments and earned the respect of each and every player it faced.
Sapo Caset, Lechuza’s much-heralded 8-goal player scored six goals for his team, with Guille Aguero adding two goals.
Hall of Fame Cup action (the subsidiary competition of the US Open) will continue on Saturday morning with Isla Carroll (0-0) facing Orchard Hill (0-0).