San Saba, Audi Score Wins

By Alex Webbe

 

San Saba bounced back from an erratic start to score an 11-10 win over a realigned BTA lineup in the opening round of the 20-goal Philip Iglehart Cup at the International Polo Club in Wellington.

 

“I felt like we had control of the game in the third chukker,” said San Saba 8-goaler Sapo Caset.  “We really didn’t play our game in the first two chukkers,” he added.

 

When asked about the dramatic ending that had San Saba staving off a BTA rally team captain Tommy Lee Jones remarked, “I get enough drama at work.”

A pulled muscle had BTA regular Hector Galindo sitting on the sidelines along with Kelly Beal (shoulder separation).  Tommy Biddle filled in for Galindo while Kelly’s daughter K. C. took his spot on the team.

 

BTA’s chances looked promising in the opening chukker with Pablo Spinacci scoring three times as San Saba was held to a single goal from Sapo Caset.

BTA went up 4-1 after Biddle converted a penalty shot, but goals from Carlucho Arellano and Sapo Caset cut the lead to a single goal, 4-3.

 

The third chukker belonged to BTA.  Caset went on a scoring spree, scoring three unanswered goals.  Tommy Lee Jones notched the final goal of the chukker to end the first half with San Saba on top of a 7-4 score.

 

“When we got the right match-ups, we had no problem with them (BTA) said Arellano.  “We were comfortable with play and knew we controlled the game.”

Biddle scored on another penalty shot to open the fourth chukker, but a long run for a goal from Arellano was capped by Toto Collardin’s first goal of the game for a 9-5 San Saba lead.

 

BTA reared its head in the fifth chukker. Scoring three consecutive goals from Jeff Blake (penalty conversion), Biddle (penalty conversion) and K. C. Beal before Collardin answered with a single goal from San Saba.  BTA continued to trail after five chukkers of play, but the lead was cut to 10-8.

 

Caset converted a penalty goal for the first score of the final chukker and a three goal lead, 11-8, but BTA was in the rally mode.  Goals from Biddle and Spinacci cut the San Saba lead to a single goal, 11-10.  With BTA pressing to get the tying goal, time expired with San Saba taking home the 11-10 win.

 

Sapo Caset led all scoring with six goals.  Carlucho Arellano and Toto Collardin scored two goals apiece and Tommy Lee Jones added a goal for the win.

Tommy Biddle and Pablo Spinacci scored four goals apiece for BTA.  Jeff Blake and K. C. Beal registered single goals.