Gracida scores winning goal
By Alex Webbe
Carlos Gracida converted a penalty shot with six seconds left in regulation play as he led Patagones (1-0) to a 10-9 victory over Bendabout (0-2) Thursday afternoon in the Joe Barry memorial Cup competition at the International Polo Club in Wellington.
Looking every bit the championship team from the previous tournament, Patagones took an early lead and held it throughout most of the game, but a persistent Bendabout attack never gave up.
Trailing 7-6 after four chukkers of play, Bendabout parlayed shutout defense and single goals from Gillian Johnston and Nick Roldan to first tie and then go ahead of Patagones, 8-7, as the fifth chukker ended.
The game was marked by long drives and hard shots at goal by both sides in front of a generous crowd of spectators who were enjoying a break in the weather and fast polo.
“It was a very competitive game,†said IPC polo regular Robert Staten, “The horses looked in peak condition and the long shots by Carlos (Gracida) and Nick (Roldan) set up the action throughout the game.â€
Carlos Gracida tied the game in the sixth chukker and then put Patagones ahead again on a penalty conversion as the clock started to run down. A Patagones foul allowed Bendabout to get back into the game with Roldan converting a penalty to knot it up at 9-9.
Both teams struggled for control of the ball in the waning seconds of regulation play when the umpire’s whistle sounded, and Patagones sent Carlos Gracida to the line to attempt a 60-yard penalty shot. The first attempt was deflected wide by a defending Bendabout player, resulting in a Safety (Penalty 6) and another free shot from 60-yards out.
Carlos Gracida’s shot held true, and a triumphant Patagones team left the field with the 10-9 win.
Carlos Gracida led all scoring with eight goals. Julio Gracida and Carlos Avendano added single goals in the victory.
Roldan set the pace for Bendabout with six goals. Owen Rinehart added two goals and Gillian Johnston scored once.
ZACARA 17, WANDERERS/ISLA CARROLL 11
In earlier tournament play, Zacara (1-0) shot out to an early 5-0 lead and steamrolled the Wanderers/Isla Carroll team 17-11.
Although the Wanderers/Isla Carroll (0-2) team tried to claw their way back into the game, Zacara held a 7-4 halftime lead.
Zacara extended its lead to 10-5 after the fourth chukker and led 14-7 after the fifth as the Wanderers/Isla Carroll struggled to get any kind of rhythm going.
The Wanderers/Isla Carroll put four goals on the scoreboard in the final chukker as Zacara’s Jeff Hall scored once from the field and twice on penalty shots for the final 17-11 score.
Hall led the Zacara scoring with eight goals. Toto Collardin and Gonzalo del Tour scored four goals apiece and team captain Lyndon Lea added a goal for the win.
Kris Kampsen scored six times for the Wanderers/Isla Carroll. Nacho Figueras added three goals and Sugar Erskine scored twice.
Play will continue in the 2010 Joe Barry Memorial Cup today at the International Polo Club with a 1 pm contest between Lechuza Caracas (0-1) and Lucchese (0-0).