Polo Challenge: Dominican Republic 2016

January 26, 2016 News Items 0

End of Bronze Cup Qualifiers: 
Los Samanes, Power Infrastructure, Agualinda & Lechuza through to semifinals

Four thrilling days of polo took place this week in the Dominican Republic; two at Los Establos, Cap Cana, and two in Casa de Campo, La Romana. The first match at Casa de Campo was undoubtedly the most important and exciting challenge so far. Agualinda took on brother team Lechuza in the clash of the titans – Juan Martin Nero vs David Stirling. It was Lechuza who managed to come out on top, after claiming a close 9-8 victory. Victor Vargas was top scorer of the match and Toto Collardin was named MVP. The second match saw La Carbuccia triumph for the first time in the tournament. Even though Los Establos gave a dynamic performance, they were not able to beat a solid La Carbuccia, who won 12-8. Silvestre Donovan was named MVP.

Friday 22 saw two matches at Los Establos, Cap Cana. Pitirri/Potranca took on Los Samanes. In spite of having started the game with a 2 goal handicap advantage, Pitirri/Potranca never managed to dominate Los Samanes, who won 11-9. Juan Ambroggio was named MVP of the match. Next, Power Infrastructure played against Casa de Campo. It was a close game until half time, when Nacho Novillo Astrada (MVP) and Iñaki Laprida pulled ahead to win the game 12-8 for Power Infrastructure. 

On Saturday, the two teams from Caracas did not relent at Casa de Campo on day 7 of the Bronze Cup, and both games finished with decisive wins: Agualinda beat La Carbuccia 10-7 and Lechuza beat Los Establos 12-7. The 10-goal titans, Agualinda’s David Stirling and Lechuza’s Juan Martin Nero, were named MVPs of their respective games. Victor Vargas, Toto Collardén, José Donoso and Ignacio Toccalino also gave notable performances, and Lechuza received the United Capital Cup.

Sunday 24 saw Pitirri Potranca disarm Casa de Campo in a game where the former was always a step ahead. Casa de Campo’s Tomás Pieres led the counter attacks, but his team suffered Pitirri’s 2 goal handicap advantage and an early couple of goals by Lerin Zubiaurre. Rodrigo Rueda was instrumental in winning plays for his team and deserved his MVP title. Later in the day, spectators enjoyed one of the most even and exciting games of the series, as Power Infrastructure fought neck and neck with Los Samanes. Nacho Novillo Astrada was brilliant, and his performance earned him an MVP title for a second consecutive game. Novillo Astrada scored the first two goals and the last goal of the day. Los Samanes were resilient to the end, but Laprida and Novillo Astrada (the only goal scorers for Power Infrastructure) were too much for Los Samanes. Power won the game 10-6 and claimed the Hola Cup.

The semifinalists of the Bronze Cup are now defined: Los Samanes, Power Infrastructure, Agualinda and Lechuza.