Tonkawa wins its Wanderers Classic opener

Tonkawa rolls over
Floridian Community Bank in Wanderers Classic action

By Alex Webbe

Floridian Community Bank (Diego Arellano,
Gabriel Crespo, Whistle Uys and Stevie Orthwein) scored the first two goals of
the game but that would be their last lead as Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Agustin
Arellano, Brandon Phillips and Nic Roldan) jumped all over them through the
balance of the game on their way to an 11-7 win in the 14-goal Wanderers
Classic at the International Polo Club in Wellington.

Gabriel Crespo scored the first goal of the
game followed by a goal from teammate Stevie Orthwein for a 2-0 Floridian
Community Bank lead.  Nic Roldan
responded with a converted penalty shot, and Agustin Arellano (son of American
9-goaler Julio Arellano) tied it up at 2-2.

Jeff Hildebrand gave Tonkawa its first lead
of the game with the opening goal of the second period, 3-2.  Roldan scored from the field for a 4-2
advantage, but a scrappy Floridian Community Bank team fought back.  Orthwein cut the Tonkawa lead to a single
goal with his second goal of the game, 4-3. 
Brandon Phillips converted a penalty shot for a goal and Agustin
Arellano closed out the chukker with a goal to give Tonkawa a 6-3 lead.

South African 5-goaler Whistle Uys opened the
third chukker with a goal from the field for Floridian Community Bank as the
team tried to mount a rally.  Tonkawa’s
defense tightened, however, and Phillips converted a pair of penalty shots to
ride off with a four goal lead, 8-4.

The pace in the second half continued to
build with a Tonkawa foul resulting in a Floridian Community Bank penalty goal
(Stevie Orthwein).  Phillips answered for
Tonkawa with his fourth goal of the game. 
The fourth chukker ended with Tonkawa holding a 9-5 advantage.

Floridian Community Bank team continued to
press the attack into the fifth chukker and Tonkawa continued to successfully
defend.  Roldan’s third goal of the
morning gave Tonkawa a five goal, 10-5 lead, but it was short-lived.  Diego Arellano (Agustin Arellano’s uncle)
registered his first score of the game, but the Floridian Community Bank polo
team continued to trail, 10-6.

Crespo scored the opening goal of the final
chukker but that was the extent of the Floridian Community Bank rally.  Disciplined defense carried the day for
Tonkawa, with Phillips closing out the game with his fifth goal in the 11-7
victory.

Phillips led all scoring with five
goals.  Roldan scored three times and
Agustin Arellano added two goals. 
Hildebrand added a goal for the win.

Orthwein led the Floridian Community Bank
attack with three goals.  Crespo scored
twice and Diego Arellano and Uys added single goals in the loss.

Wanderers Classic play will continue on
Saturday, January 12th when Tonkawa (1-0) meets Mt. Brilliant/Equine
Law Group in a 10am contest.