Day six of competition in the USPA Gold Cup at the National Polo Center- Wellington (NPC) featured doubleheader action between Two Trees by Jefferies (Will Johnston, Mariano Aguerre, Miguel Novillo Astrada, Juan Sánchez Elia) versus Scone (David Paradice, Cody Ellis, Poroto Cambiaso, David ‘Pelon’ Stirling), followed by Shack Attack (Santino Magrini, Ignacio ‘Nachi’ Viana, Kristos ‘Keko’ Magrini, Santiago ‘Santi’ Toccalino) facing Tamera (Alejandro Poma, Pedro ‘Pedrinho’ Zacharias, Diego Cavanagh, Segundo Saravi).
Establishing an early three goal lead, Scone’s dominant offensive performance ramped-up featuring contributions from Cambiaso, Ellis and Stirling to amass ten goals on twelve shots. Struggling to match the firepower of Scone, Johnston managed just two field goals for Two Trees by Jefferies, with Scone securing a commanding seven goal lead at the half. Picking up where they left off, Scone continued to apply the pressure, including four goals off the mallet of Stirling. Despite taking eleven shots in open play in the second half, Two Trees by Jefferies were only able to put one past the posts, with Scone handily taking the victory 18-4.
In the second match of Tuesday’s doubleheader, an evenly matched start saw Shack Attack begin to pull away in the second chukker with the Toccalino and the Magrini brothers each finding success in the field. Despite scoring four goals on five attempts, Tamera’s offensive output was doubled by their opponents, as Viana and Toccalino gave Shack Attack an 8-4 lead at the break. Outscoring Shack Attack for the first time in the match, a three-goal run from Poma and Cavanagh brought Tamera back within striking distance, but a successful conversion from Viana kept Shack Attack ahead 10-8. Making one last push from Zacharias, Tamera’s comeback efforts ultimately fell short as a final penalty conversion from Toccalino and field goal from Santino Magrini sealed Shack Attack’s 12-8 win.
Upcoming Schedule:
Wednesday, March 8
Aspen (1-0) vs Pilot (1-0) at 10:00am ET
Photo Credit: David Lominska