For Cameron Smith and his parents, Ben and Ruth Ann, it might have been enough to just open their brand new Seattle Polo Club – known officially as the Seattle Polo and Equestrian Club – on what turned out to be an absolutely perfect weekend with an absolutely thrilling Sunday final played in front of a great crowd. However, as it turned out, there was a little more to it as Cameron and his Seattle Polo team captured the Seattle Cup the very first time it was contested.

The August 10, 2014 final was set up with two preliminary games on Saturday  – the first ever tournament matches at the new facility – as Seattle defeated Ranier Polo and Tentnology/Big R stopped Caliber Marketing. With both elimination jousts being somewhat one-sided, everyone was expecting the ultimate to be close – and it was.

With a huge gathering watching – most for the first time – Smith and his Seattle group of Rob Peterson, Ramon Castilla, and Segundo Bengolia lined up against the Tentnology/Big R contingent of Gery Werner, Randy Thompson, Ernesto Mania, and Nicolas Maciel.

Having to give a handicap award of one at the start, Seattle got going quickly as Castilla scored early to tie the count. The balance of the first frame featured some long runs for both teams that became knock-ins or were stopped by good defensive work and as such, the opener ended with the score even at one each.

Castilla notched another early counter to start the second and Seattle were seemingly rolling at will. However, Tentnology/Big R pulled it together as Maciel scored from the field and the brand new scoreboard showed a pair on either side. The visitors were now the group on the roll as they forced the hosts into foul trouble and Maciel converted a text book penalty four to take a lead of one to the half at 3 – 2.

The third period stated out with Tentnology/Big R continuing the push with Maciel now firmly in control. Using a well mounted Werner to advance the play, the result was an open goal conversion from the aforementioned quarterback and the northern invaders led by two at 4 – 3.  However, Seattle wasn’t about to cave in and Bengolia scored on a great run from just past center and Castilla then was able to grab one from the field and it was now a tie game at four. At that point, Maciel, who has probably won every trophy available in the Northwest, got back on his horse and counted a field goal to once again give the visitors a lead at 5 – 4. With Smith pushing the front end with authority and Peterson solid at the back, Seattle got even as Bengolia got his second of the chukker and it was on to the final period tied at five.

The fourth was an extremely entertaining and exciting example of polo – something the very large first time crowd  relished. With the play going constantly from end to end, Seattle was awarded a free shot from center. With the honor, Bengolia sent an absolutely perfect pass to a flying Castilla on the left hand side that he converted on a picture perfect 50 yard cut shot (the announcer’s play of the day) and the lead now belonged to the home team at 6 -5. However, with Thompson leading a charge, the always lurking Maciel was awarded and converted a penalty 3 and the game, once again, was tied – this time at six  and with 2:15 left on the clock. A short time after, Maciel excecuted a free-throw from 60 yards and was wide by inches. Castilla was granted the same opportunity at the other end and he too was unable to convert and the first ever Seattle Cup was going to be decided in extra time.

Overtime didn’t last  more than one minute as Seattle came out very aggressively and placed immediate pressure on Tentnology/Big R. The result was a penalty award from 40 yards as Smith ran to grab a pass from the back end and was subsequently fouled. Castilla was dead center and Seattle had won the first ever Seattle Cup final at the first ever tournament at the brand new Seattle Polo and Equestrian Club by a score of 7 – 6.

Castilla, based on his aggressive and unselfish play was selected as the MVP and Lucero, Werner’s Argentine Thoroughbred gelding that was played in the third and overtime periods, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.

2014 Seattle Cup – Seattle Polo and Equestrian Club

Seattle (6) – Cameron Smith, Rob Peterson 1, Ramon Castilla 3, Segundo Bengolia 2.

Tentnology/Big R (5) – Gery Werner, Randy Thompson, Nicolas Maciel 3, Ernesto Mania 2.

Tony Gregg

 

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