By Alex Webbe
Chris Delgatto’s Circa (1-0) team started the summer season on the right hoof as it rolled over a talented Black Watch (0-1) team 17-11 Monday afternoon in Mercedes Benz Challenge Cup action at the Bridgehampton Polo Club.
Circa received one goal by handicap and Magoo Laprida got the ball rolling in the first chukker, scoring two goals from the field for an early 3-1 lead. Lucas Criado’s penalty conversion got Black Watch on the scoreboard but Circa’s Martin Pepa ran the score up to 5-1 as he scored consecutive goals from the field. Tomas Obregon scored the last goal of the chukker for black Watch, and Circa rode off the field with a 5-2 advantage.
Pepa set the field on fire in the second chukker, scoring three straight goals for Circa. Laprida tallied his third goal of the game as shutout defense had Black Watch trailing 9-2 after just fifteen minutes of play.
Laprida and Black Watch’s Lucas Criado exchanged penalty goals to open the third chukker before Circa took control of the match once again. Consecutive goals from Guille Aguero, Laprida and Pepa had Circa up 13-3, limiting Black Watch to a single penalty conversion by Criado.
Black Watch pressed its attack in the fifth chukker, resulting in a goal from the field from Nacho Figueras and a pair of penalty goals as well, but it was not enough. Aguero scored Circa’s only goal of the period, but ended the chukker with a 14-6 lead after four periods of play.
Pepa opened the fifth chukker with a goal but was answered by single goals from Figueras and Criado. Black Watch was showing life, but it was deep into the game, and Circa held on to a 15-8 advantage with seven-and-a-half minutes to play.
Three more goals from Criado gave Black Watch extended life in the final chukker, but single goals from Aguero and Laprida were enough to give Circa a handy 17-11 victory.
Pepa led the Circa attack with seven goals. Laprida scored six times and Aguero added three goals. Circa received one goal by handicap.
Criado’s seven goals led the Black Watch offense. Figueras scored three times and Obregon added a goal in the loss.
Play will resume on Tuesday with Certified (0-0) meeting Heathcote (0-0) in a rescheduled game from Sunday’s rainout. Later in the afternoon, Equuleus (0-0) will face Great Oaks (0-1).