It was the final day of May and the finals of the Pope Challenge. I think I called it the Lisle Nixon in a earlier report, but I was wrong . The weather sucked, but the Polo was good. It was a little messy, but Brian Boyd’s band of New Mexicans + Paige Beard were there when it counted. Yesterday they knocked off Piocho, who logged their first loss in ’09 and today at the end and it happened in overtime. The Lawman (Matt Ladin) tied it with less than 30 seconds to go. With a couple of big plays they made it happen. A huge rideoff by T.J. Barrack and a well-placed ball by Justin Klentner set it up, but in the end it was … ? The game started fast as Piocho jumped on first ball to make a goal. The 2nd ball was almost a goal and then a goal in the last minute was made by Wulff. The score was 2 to 1 in the 2nd chukkar and more of the same came afterwards and more fouls. Piocho won the chukkar by 2 to 1 so it was 4 to 2 . The Third chukkar was a disaster for Piocho with 6 fouls and none were received. They escaped with a tied game score at the 1/2. It was a miracle and it held up for one more chukkar. Then La Kirina flexed their muscles and it was 1 to 2 in the 5th but still a 2-goal lead for Piocho Ranch. In the 6th there were ome great plays by Brian Boyd and Fernando got La Kirina close, only down by 1. A huge rideoff from Paige stopped Justin Klentner from scoring and Santiago Wulff scored the tying goal on a knock in. With seconds to go it was a big play by T.J. Barrack and Justin Klentner to get Matt Ladin (The Lawman) open to tie it up. In the overtime chukker it was a big play for Piocho Ranch and they just missed the win in a long run. And they missed the fouls returned. There were 3 fouls in overtime which was too much. Santiago Wulff made Piocho Rancho pay as the game ended on a penalty 3 and it was buried for the win and the 2009 Champs are La Kirina. The difference could have been drastic as La Kirina missed 9 penalty shots and received 22 fouls while Picocho Ranch had 8 for them.
Congratulations La Kirina Polo
Paige Beard
Brian Boyd (the Patron)
Fernando
Santiago Wulff
Across the pond in the U.K. the quarter finals are in progress at the Queen’s Cup. It was a busy day as from 18 teams the Quarter final participants were decided.
They are Sumaya, Apes Hill and Lechuza undefeated and then Broncos – with former SB competitor Pablo
Mcdonough, Dubai with Adolfo Cambiaso and Gonzalo Pieres. Last year’s champion for the all the Santa Barbara Tournaments made it through with La bambi. Former California competitor Picki Alberdi also made it through and a very well-known kid by the name of Sapo Cassett is on team Lechuza, who went through the draw. The quarters will be Mon. so that’s all I know on a perfectly cold day in Santa Barbara.
See ya.
Steve Crowder
Scrowder@poloconnect.com