The Hawks: Joe Henderson, Juan Curbelo, Fred Mannix, Kelly Maloney, Pierre Henry Ngoumou and Abby Riggs.
Indio, CA (January 19, 2008) – With Joe Henderson in charge of the nest, the Hawks defeated Cotterel Polo by a score of 12 – 9 in the first 12 goal final of the 2009 season at the Eldorado Polo Club.
In a game marred by fouls, the winners started rather slowly, giving up a penalty number one, and trailed 2 – 1 at the end of the first.
The second was much different and the birds were flying and Cotterel could do little to stop them. With Juan Curbello dominating out of the line-ups, and Henderson in control, the second ended with a 5 – 2 Hawk lead.
Cotterel got back into the game in the third as Mariano Gutierrez scored three times to one for Curbello.
The fourth, however, belonged to the Hawks as they once again shutout Jenny Luttrell’s gang and went to the fifth with a lead of four at 9 – 5.
In spite of three goals in the fifth by Gutierrez, who had a strong game, the Hawk lead was two going to the final period at 10 – 8.
Outscoring Cotterel in the sixth by one gave the Hawks the victory.
Henderson scored seven times for the Hawks (4 foul), Curbello had three, and Abby Riggs and Pierre Henri Ngoumou tallied once each.
For Cotterel, Gutierrez counted seven markers (5 foul) and Ignacio Saracco provided one. The penalty one completed the total.
Henderson was the Amore MVP and his mare Lola, played in the fourth, was selected as the best playing pony.
Final Game – First 12 Goal Tournament at Eldorado
Hawks (12) – Joe Henderson 4, Juan Curbello 4, Pierre Henry Ngoumou 3, Abby Riggs 1 (substitute for Julian Mannix 1).
Cotterel Polo (12) – Mariano Gutierrez 5, Luis Saracco 4, Ignacio Saracco 3, Mateo Crespo (substitute for Jenny Luttrell).