Schockemohle Stuns Scone in Second Half for Victory in Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy
The final day of group play in the 2021 Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy began with a remarkable second half comeback from Schockemohle to defeat Scone 11-10 on a winning Penalty 2 conversion from Patrick Maleitzke.
Trailing 6-1 early in the game, Schockemohle displayed a resilient effort to fight back against a Scone team led by Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso. Overcoming inaccuracy in the first half, Schockemohle produced twice as many shots as Scone in the second half while shooting 50% from the field and adding three penalty conversions. Scone dominated play in the first half by using an accurate passing attack that resulted in high-quality chances at goal, but possession switched to Schockemohle throughout the second half. Maleitzke led all players with six goals, including four of the final six goals of the game to capture the thrilling 11-10 victory.
Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso highlighted the opening chukka for Scone, combining for all three of their team’s goals, keeping Schockemohle pinned in their own half. Holding the 5-0 shot advantage, Scone dominated possession leaving Schockemohle’s only offense coming from the penalty line on a Penalty 2 conversion from Santiago Tanoira. Extending their lead further, Scone’s Isidro Strada scored back-to-back goals from the field, both assisted by Adolfo Cambiaso to take a commanding four-goal lead into the third chukka. Tanoira ended Schockemohle’s drought from the field, scoring in the third chukka, but they remained trailing 6-2 and facing a difficult task to comeback in the second half.
A crucial fourth chukka changed Schockemohle’s fortunes, scoring three unanswered goals and keeping Scone off the scoresheet to quickly reduce the deficit to just one. Maleitzke scored two of the three goals during the run for Schockemohle as momentum swung in their favour entering the final two chukkas. Maleitzke’s third goal of the game to open the fifth chukka brought the game even at 6-all, but the experienced Scone team responded with goals from Strada and Poroto Cambiaso to push back ahead by two. Relying on a balanced team effort, Schockemohle continued to battle for possession, and it was Maleitzke and Jack Richardson that tied the game at 8-8 entering the final chukka. Needing a victory to enter the shootout for a place in the finals, Scone took the 10-9 lead on two goals from Strada, but with time running down, Tanoira broke through to tie the score. Pressuring Scone on the following play, Schockemohle received a foul, allowing Maleitzke to step up and convert the game-winning Penalty 2 to secure the impressive 11-10 victory.
Emlor Victory Secures Place in Shootout
On any other day, 13 goals on 57% shooting from the field and 100% shooting from the penalty line would lead to victory, but MT Vikings fell two goals short in a high-scoring 15-13 defeat to Emlor at Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. Converting seven of his nine penalty attempts, Agustin Merlos’ penalty accuracy was the difference as Emlor continued to keep MT Vikings out of reach with consistent offense in each chukka. From the field, Alfredo Bigatti’s impact was crucial in Emlor’s victory, finishing with four goals and three assists to help lead them to the two-goal victory and remain undefeated in the tournament.
The opening chukka saw MT Vikings use the pass effectively to race into the lead, receiving one field goal each from Sebastian Merlos, Juan Martin Zubia and Chris Mackenzie. In a game featuring multiple runs, Emlor answered back with three consecutive goals due to the play of Merlos and Bigatti. Scoring his second goal of the chukka, Bigatti gave Emlor the 5-4 lead at the conclusion of the second chukka, a lead they would build on in a dominant end to the half. Long passes forward from Enlor set up Spencer McCarthy to score two goals in the third chukka as Emlor dominated possession and kept MT Vikings in their defensive half. Scoring the final four goals of the half, Emlor’s potent offense resulted in a commanding 9-5 lead at halftime.
Reorganizing during the halftime break, MT Vikings slowed the Emlor attack with Sebastian Merlos leading the defensive effort, allowing Zubia and Mackenzie to drive forward. The change in strategy led to a four-goal chukka for MT Vikings and quickly reducing the lead from four to just one to set up an exciting final two chukkas. Displaying end-to-end polo, Emlor and MT Vikings exchanged goals with Bigatti leading the charge for Emlor and Zubia responding with a goal and an assist for MT Vikings. Maintaining their one-goal lead into the sixth chukka, Emlor secured the win after McCarthy capped off a strong performance with his third goal to finish with the 15-13 victory.