A second thrilling contest ensued on the first day of play at the Joe Barry Memorial, as end-to-end play came to a captivating conclusion with La Fe’s Robi Bilbao guiding the ball between the posts at the end of regulation to take the game 12-11. The feature game of week on U.S. Polo Assn. Field 1 showcased Patagones with an identical line-up from the 2020 against newcomers CK Shack. Relying on the familiarity and experience of CK Shack’s father-son duo of Matias Magrini and Keko “Keko” Magrini, along with Tomas Willans’ two goals, led CK Shack to the efficient 13-9 victory.
Tomas Garcia del Rio opened the scoring for Patagones in front of eager spectators, but Kris Kampsen followed up with a successful Penalty 4 of his own for CK Shack, with Keko Magrini following suit and scoring his first, off a brilliant neckshot from the boards. Gaining experience in Santa Barbara during the summer, the Avendano brothers combined for three consecutive goals, as Patagones took an early 4-2 lead. Finding their footing halfway through the third chukker, CK Shack would finally erupt offensively scoring five goals to end the half, including three from veteran 7-goaler Matias Magrini to race ahead 7-4.
Emerging from the break trailing by three, Garcia del Rio pushed back for Patagones early in the fifth, however a quick response from newcomer Willans and another breakaway goal from Matias Magrini kept CK Shack in the lead. Despite Garcia del Rio continuing his success from the line at the end of the fourth, Kampsen answered with his own penalty conversion once again to begin the fifth. Remaining steadfast, CK Shack’s team play facilitated two more goals from Keko Magrini and Willans, while their ability to eliminate space on the field held Patagones to only one more Penalty 2 from del Rio to end the chukker. After running out of time earlier to score on a brilliant run in the second chukker, Santiago Wulff finally broke through with his first goal in the sixth, however, a vibrant Willans made one last soaring goal from near midfield to end the game in favor of CK Shack 13-9.
For his contributions in a spectacular five goal chukker for CK Shack, Matias Magrini was awarded Most Valuable Player, while his “Don Ercole Guinea” was also named Best Playing Pony.
Semifinal action in the Joe Barry Memorial continues on Wednesday, January 12 between CK Shack and Beverly Polo at 11:00am ET, followed by Patagones against La Fe at 3:00pm ET.