Equuleus overpowers Certified 10-9 in 2011 Monty Waterbury Cup – Polo Update
Mariano Gonzalez displayed superb performance and scored six times, as Equuleus notched a 10-9 triumph over Certified in the first round match of the 2011 Monty Waterbury Cup being held at the Bridgehampton Polo Club, New York on July 25.
As compared to other fixtures of the tournament, the match between Equuleus and Certified was also a competitive encounter where both teams were looking aggressive throughout the six chukkas. Though, Equuleus was dominant over the field in the start, it
was Certified that drew the first blood in the hands of Adam Snow. However, the players from Equuleus were not sitting silently and marked a couple of goals. Mariano Gonzalez did all the action to close the chukka at 2-1 with Equuleus’ lead.
Equuleus further sped up their strikes and increased the lead in the second round of the match. After missing a chance in the opening minutes, Gonzalez scored off a close range penalty shot and enhanced the lead up to two. In a counter-attack, Tomas Garcia
Del Rio added a notch in the score of Certified and reduced the lead down to a single goal. However, Kris Kampsen and Gonzales added two more through penalty conversions and closed the chukka at 5-2.
The Equuleus team continued their speedy game and dominated the third chukka by obtaining three more goals. Gonzales and Kampsen added two and one goal respectively while holding Certified goalless throughout the period. Certified was trailing by six goals,
8-2 at the half-time.
Both Equuleus and Certified scored two goals each in the fourth set of play and enchanted the spectators. Kampsen managed two goals which were answered by a pair of goals from Tomas and Marcos Garcia Del Rio. The chukka ended with Equuleus holding a six-goal
edge, 10-4.
Ultimately, the strikers from Certified cranked up their offence and made a come-back into the match. They obtained four non-replied goals in the seven and half minutes of play and reduced the lead. Michael Borrico opened the scoring from the field effort
while his team-mate Garcia Del Rio accounted for three more goals. It was the point that increased pressure on Equuleus which was holding six goals before the second last chukka. However, the entire scenario changed and Certified limited the edge only two
goals, 10-8.
In the last seven minutes of play, both teams put in brilliant efforts in order to take the results into their favour. It was Equuleus that displayed wonderful defence and acquired the first victory in the tournament. Garcia Del Rio though scored a goal
in the waning moments, but to no avail. Equuleus took the win at 10-9 in the 2011 Monty Waterbury Cup.
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