The 6 goal Carlton and Keleen Beal Memorial Cup, played at Southern California’s Eldorado Polo turned out to be a test involving two rather different teams. On the one side, Reg Whyte and his Thermal bunch and on the other, Craig Steinke and Stormcat. For Whyte, it was his second Eldorado final in a row, and for Steinke, it was his first Eldorado final in many years. While Whyte went with the proven lineup – World Gym Winners – of foreman Fergus Gould, Nicolas Maciel (back after an injury), and Emma Stachowicz, Steinke saddled the rejuvenated Danny Juarez, his longtime rig hand Victor Soto, and newcomer Jacob Deutsch.
Stormcat rushed out of the gate quickly as Juarez scored once and Soto added a pair to lead in the very early going. Maciel converted a penalty three for Thermal and the first ended with the explorers ahead at 3 – 1.
Whyte and Co. started to make some hay early in the second as Maciel baled another open goal opportunity and Gould scored one from the field to tie the count at three. However, Stormcat galloped ahead once more on counters from Juarez and Soto and the second ended with the Steike Group leading at 5 – 3.
Stormcat led by three once again as Juarez converted a penalty two, but Maciel scored a field goal to help Thermal stay close at the ‘half’ with the count at 6 – 4.
The fourth was all Thermal as Whtye’s ’hands ran down the leader with another open goal counter from Maciel and another field goal from Gould who was now leading by example. With Stormcat now seemingly fading, Thermal was back in it tied at six.
In the final frame, Juarez and Soto each scored from the field to again give the lead to Stormcat, this time by a pair. However, Thermal wasn’t finished as continued pressure was rewarded with an impressive 60 yard free shot by Maciel that brought them within one. With less than a minute to go, Thermal needed a goal to tie and was willing to take a chance to make it happen. If you succeed and run the field you’re a hero and if you get caught, you know that at least you tried. In taking the chance, Thermal gave up a penalty four opportunity to Juarez that he converted and Steinke and his Stormcat stable had won the 6 Goal Beal Memorial by a count of 9 – 7.
Playing his best game of the season earned Soto MVP honors and Maciel’s third chukker mare, India, owned by Gery Warner, was selected as the Best Playing Pony.
2013 6 Goal Carlton and Keleen Beal Memorial Cup – Eldorado Polo Club
Stormcat (6) – Craig Steinke 1, Danny Juarez 3, Victor Soto 2, Jacob Deutsch.
Thermal (6) – Reg Whyte, Fergus Gould 4, Nicolas Maciel 3, Emma Stachowicz, Miguel Gutierrez 3 (sub for Maciel).
Tony Gregg