AUDI-PONY EXPRESS-WHITE BIRCH WIN IN PIAGET GOLD CUP BRACKET PLAY
WELLINGTON, FL—Piaget Gold Cup Bracket play continued today at International Polo Palm Beach with three games. In the continuance of a rain delay game, White Birch sent last year’s defending champion Las Monjitas to the cellar with an 11-9 victory, Pony Express evened its record by defeating Orchard Hill 10-6 and Audi remained undefeated with an 11-8 victory over Zacara.
When play resumed, White Birch had a 6-5 lead over Las Monjitas but in the fourth, Las Monjitas made up the deficit and evened it up at seven. In the final two chukkers it was all Pancho Bensadon of White Birch as he converted three penalty goals and scored one from the field to finish the afternoon with nine and led his team to the 11-9 win that evened their record at 1-1. Las Monjitas at 0-2 moves to last place in their bracket.
The mid-day contest saw Pony Express fall behind early but continued to chip away at Orchard Hill until they held an 8-6 lead in the fourth chukker. The final two chukkers were all Express as they held the boys from the Hill scoreless while building the 10-6 lead for the victory. Orchard Hill falls to 0-2 and Pony Express evened its record at one with the win.
Audi remained undefeated behind the seven goals by Facundo Pieres to defeat Zacara 11-8. Tied at six following four chukkers Audi went on a 5-2 run in the final two chukkers as Zacara seemed to run out of horse power and Audi capitalized on every mistake. Zacara remains tied for second place in the bracket with a 1-1 record.
Gold Cup polo continues, Saturday, March 21, 3PM when Lechuza Caracas faces Las Monjitas and Sunday, March 22, 10 AM, Audi vs Orchard Hill, 12 noon, Pony Express vs Zacara and at 3 PM on the International Field and Stadium White Birch vs. Black Watch.
The USPA Gold Cup has been played since 1974 and 2009 marks the third year it for the tournament at International Polo Club Palm Beach. This year the eight team field has been divided into two brackets. First and second place from each bracket will cross play in the semi finals and the winners move to the Gold Cup Final on Sunday March 29.
International Polo is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington and hosts professional polo tournaments through April and all are invited to attend. The premier game of the week is played at 3 PM every Sunday on the International Field and Stadium. Information can be obtained by calling the polo hotline at 561-282-5290 or on the web at www.internationalpoloclub.com.
White Birch 2-2-2-1-2-2=11 (Pancho Bensadon 9 goals)
Las Monjitas 1-2-2-2-1-1= 9 (Nacho Astrada 6 goals)
Pony Express 1-1-3-3-1-1=10 (Nic Roldan 5 goals)
Orchard Hill 3-0-2-1-0-0= 6 (Steve VanAndel & Hector Galindo 2 goals)
Audi 0-2-2-2-3-2=11 (Facundo Pieres 7 goals)
Zacara 1 hdcp-1-1-2-1-1-1= 8 (Carlos Gracida 4 goals)