Posted in January 4th, 2009
by Tony Gregg
Photo caption:World Gym: Claudia Uretz, Patrick Uretz, Tony Uretz, Wiley Uretz, Nicolai Maciel and Mike Uretz.
Photo credit: L. Bremner/PoloZONE.com
Indio, CA (January 4, 2009) – Going into the second weekend of the Mike Uretz sponsored World Gym Tournament, the Uretz family teamwas in a tough spot at 0 – 2. Having lost to Steven Saddlers SMG Poloin an overtime game and failing to win a round robin involving SMG during the first weekend, the task was large – to play the final, they would have to defeatDina Stuarts Carnation Farms and Matthew WalkersLong Beachin a round robin on Saturday and hope that SMG could defeat Empire.
With Wiley Uretz (home on Vacation) replacing brother Patrick (away skiing) the result was most favorable as the oldest son was a big help to mother Claudia Uretzand anchor Nicolas Marciel in a victory that gave them a record of 1 – 2 and thereforetied with Carnation, Empire, with a loss to SMG in Saturdays game, dropped to 1-2 which created a three-way tie for second. With a better net goal number, World Gym would play the Sunday final against saddler and crew.
With Patrick back in town and Wiley still around, Claudia elected to stand down, allowing Tony Uretz to join his brothers in the championship game. A handicap award of one for the workout people at the start soon evaporated and the first chukker ended in a tie at two.
After a second chukker that was all World Gym, the score remained 2-2, SMG was fortunate to go to the half even, as Marciel and brothers missed five huge scoring opportunties.
SMG recovered in the third and took a lead of one (4-3) to the forth and appeared to have a one goal victory (5-4) in hand with 45 seconds left to go in regulation. However, an SMG foul allowed World Gym an opprtunity from 60 yards to force overtime. Wiley Uretz was able to stop Marciels drive to the left and scored to force the tie breaker.
In a sudden death period that saw chances for both teams, Marciel scored to give the Mike Uretz family the World Gym trophy with a 6-5 victory. Along with Maciels winner and the Wiley Uretz counter to tie, Patrick Uretz converted three foul opportunties for the champions. Questal had three and Pierre Henri Gnomoumou, in a very strong effort, had two (1 foul) for SMG.
World Gym Tournament Final – Eldorado Polo Club
World Gym (3) – Wiley Uretz 1, Patrick Uretz, Tony Uretz-1, Nicolas Mariel 3.
SMG Polo (4) – Steven Saddler – 1, Domingo Questal 2, Pierre Henri Gnoumou 3, Vicky Owens