White Birch defeat Certified in Hampton Cup: 8-6- Polo Update
Fred Mannix scored five times and was real hero of the win, as the Men’s polo team of White Birch marked an 8-6 win over Certified in the group stage of the Hampton Cup being played at the Bridgehampton Polo Club in California.
Both White Birch and Certified teams have victories in their credit which made the competition more competitive and enthralling. The defensive-lines of the two sides displayed astonishing performances and limited the scoring into the single figure.
Tomas Garcia Del Rio of Certified opened the scoring from the very early minutes and put his team ahead onto the scoreboard. However, the White Birch quartet was not ready to allow opponents to go ahead. Mariano Aguerre of White Birch notched a goal from
the field and had it all even at one-all. The first set of play was concluded with White Birch and Certified holding a one-each deadlock with them.
Interestingly, an outstanding performance was done by White Birch players which obtained four goals while holding rival team scoreless in the seven and half minute of play. Fred Mannix was at his best and scored off three unanswered penalty shots. These
goals not only expanded the lead but also boosted the morale of his team-mates. In the later minutes, Aguerre scored another goal from the field effort and increased the lead up to four goals at the end of the second frame.
In the third set of play, Mannix added his fourth goal of the day through a penalty conversion and further extended the lead. From the other side, Marcos Garcia Del Rio started action and notched first goal of the day to keep his side in the game. Before
going into the second half, Mannix accounted for another goal and completed the first half of play with White Birch hanging on to a five goal edge, 7-2.
The Certified side cranked their offence in the fourth set of play and reduced the lead. Michael Borrico and Marcos Garcia Del Rio scored one goal each and decreased the advantage down to three goals while resilient defence kept White Birch at bay. However
White Birch was still sitting on to by three goals, 7-4.
In the second last chukka, Certified failed to maintain their fast style of play and conceded one more goal while could not add into the scoring. Aguerre was the player who availed the opportunity and regained the four-goal lead.
In the last frame, Certified attempted to make a comeback but could only score two goals. Tomas Garcia Del Rio marked a couple of goals of which one obtained on a penalty shot while other from the field.
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