PINECROFT IS VICTORIOUS IN ARRANMORE CUP
Text and Photo By Karen Martino
In a hard-fought match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats, Pinecroft overcame Morgan Creek in the final minutes of regulation time to win the Arranmore Cup 12-11. Hosted by the Chicago International Polo Club, the final match was played at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds.
Pinecroft, winner of the Arranmore Cup, hosted by the Chicago International Polo Club: James Drury, Tomas Eduardo Collingwood, Antonio Galvan and Francisco Bilbao.
Pinecroft pulled ahead 6-3 in the second chukker, with four goals by Antonio Galvan, and one each by Tommy Collingwood and Francisco Bilbao. Jim Drury’s excellent defensive play was a major factor in keeping the aggressive Dean Kleronomos of Morgan Creek from scoring.
By the end of the half, Morgan Creek’s Vale Aguilar had converted five penalties to close the gap to 6-5. Early in the fourth period, a beautiful foreshot by Julian Aguilar tied the score. His goal was quickly answered by a goal by Drury to again put Pinecroft in the lead. However, by chukker’s end, Vale Aguilar took control of the ball at midfield, scoring on a breakaway to tie the score at 7-7.
The fifth period belonged to Pinecroft, with Galvan converting two penalties and Bilbao finding the mark to take a 10-7 lead. Vale Aguilar scored, on an accurate pass by Angelo Kleronomos, to narrow the gap to two goals.
Early in the final period, Bilbao scored to give Pinecroft an 11-8 lead. Their lead was short-lived, however, as Vale Aguilar converted a Penalty 4 and Julian Aguilar quickly scored back-to-back goals from the field to tie the score at 11-all. With the clock ticking down, a foul occurred near the goal, which Bilbao converted for a 12-11 Pinecroft victory.
After the game, Pinecroft patron Drury commented, “I’ve never seen 12-goal as competitive as it is this year. We have several very strong teams and the matches have been very close, usually winning or losing by one goal. There aren’t going to be many blowouts this year; most will be very close contests.”
As to his team winning the Arranmore Cup, he said, “It was a beautiful day for polo, and our team played very well. We’re really gelling as a team, and each player contributed to the win. It’s going to be a very close season, and we’re going to have to play incredibly well to win the next one.”
Galvan’s excellent play earned him Most Valuable Player honors, while Julian Aguilar’s Argentine Thoroughbred mare, Tapadita, was judged Best Playing Pony. It was the first BBP win for the 11-year-old dark bay. Aguilar played her twice in the match, for three minutes in the fourth chukker and five minutes in the sixth chukker.
“I really love that mare,” Aguilar said. “She is my second best horse. I really, really liked how she played today, and I was very happy that she won Best Playing Pony.”
The tournament was sponsored by the Arranmore Polo Farm, owned by John and Tim Greene. Trophies were presented by Tim’s wife, Jody Greene, and her grandmother, Vivian Giest of Wisconsin.
Arranmore Cup Teams
Pinecroft – Tommy Collingwood (1), Francisco Bilbao (6), Antonio Galvan (5), James Drury (0). Morgan Creek – Dean Kleronomos (2), Julian Aguilar (4), Vale Aguilar (6), Angelo Kleronomos (0). Arranmore – John Greene (1), Tod Rackley/Carlos Mereles (3), Miguel Gutierrez (4), Tim Greene (2). Villa del Lago – James Zenni (0)/Pablo Seferer (1), Augustin Obregon (2), Mariano Obregon Jr. (6), Rafael Obregon (3). Dahlwood – David Wolf (1), David Wigdahl (3), Michael Matz (3), Alan Martinez (5).
Preliminary Games
Game 1 (7/5/07) Dahlwood def. Villa del Lago 15-11
Game 2 (7/6/07) Morgan Creek def. Arranmore 13-9
Game 3 (7/9/07) Pinecroft def. Dahlwood 13-11
Game 4 (7/11/07) Pinecroft def. Arranmore 15-10
Game 5 (7/12/07) Morgan Creek def. Dahlwood 12-11
FINALS (7/15/07) Pinecroft def. Morgan Creek 12-11 (at Oak Brook)