La Dolfina/Tamera won the final of the C.V. Whitney Cup on Sunday 23rd February, winning 11-10 against Coca-Cola at the National Polo Center in a tight and exciting game that had spectators on the edge of their seats. Broken mallet runs, helicopters and yellow cards, this final had all the excitement as well as some incredible and exhilarating polo skills on display.
Coca Cola had reached the final after defeating Globalport in the Semis and they were determined to win their first C.V Whitney title, the first of the three Gauntlet of Polo tournaments, and although they put up an extremely good fight, never letting La Dolfina/ Tamera get away from them and equalising throughout the game, it was not to be and La Dolfina/ Tamera ran out the winners by just 1 goal.
La Dolfina/ Tamera, led by the incredible team plays of Diego Cavanagh and Adolfo Cambiaso, started off strong, going 6-2 up by the end of the 2nd chukka, but Coca Cola were determined and with Polito and Lusarreta creating some incredible attacking plays from steals and intercepts, they replied with 3 unanswered goals in the 3rd to go into halftime trailing by just 1 goal. La Dolfina/ Tamera managed to pull away again in the 5th, quick passes and clever interplays between all 4 players forcing the team in red to defend more than they were able to attack, but once again they fought back, bringing the match to just a 1 goal difference in the final.
Chukka Breakdown:
Score Progression:
While the onfield possession was balanced and in fact Coca Cola were significantly more accurate in front of goal from the field (50% to La Dolfina/ Tamera’s 35%) they gave away more fouls in their attempts to shut down the team combination plays, and La Dolfina/ Tamera had double the opportunities from the penalty line of which they scored all except 1.
Game Statistics:
An exciting end saw a premature celebration from La Dolfina/ Tamera result in a yellow card, throw in and then a penalty for Coca Cola which had them so close to equalising and sending the game into overtime, but it was not to be and La Dolfina/ Tamera retained their 1 goal lead and raised the trophy.
The Gauntlet continues with the USPA Gold Cup and the US Open Polo Championship.
To watch the final, check it out HERE.
