White Birch trounce Certified to ride into Monty Waterbury Polo Cup semi-finals: 14-9
Fred Mannix scored twelve times and played a significant role in the triumph as White Birch marked a convincing 14-9 win over Certified in the Monty Waterbury Cup underway at the Bridgehampton Polo Club on Friday, August 5.
Speaking to the media after delivering an outstanding performance, Fred Mannix was of the opinion that two substitute players were playing for the first time; however, they showed a wonderful game and managed a victory. He stated, “We were determined to
go through the season without a loss. The loss last Saturday really put an edge on us for this game. There was no kidding around between players before the game started. The horses went great.”
The match was started at very fast pace, as both the teams were moving on great edge. Circa had defeated White Birch in the group stage, which was the only loss of them in the mega event.
Mannix was at his best and opened the scoring in very early minutes of the first chukka and put White Birch ahead onto the scoreboard. From the other side, Tomas Garcia Del Rio scored off a penalty shot and tied the knots. However, Mannix added another score
to close out the first period with White Birch sitting on top at 2-1.
In the second frame, Mannix continued his fast-paced action and scored a couple of goals while his team-mate Peter Brant notched a goal from the field. Certified team was not sitting silently, as Marcos Garcia Del Rio scored two goals in the seven and half
minutes of play and concluded the period at 5-3.
Mariano Aguerre – the legendary polo player scored his first goal in the third set of play while the resilient White Birch defence kept the Certified strikers at bay. Mannix added another couple of goals and concluded the first half of action at 8-3.
With the opening minutes of the fourth chukka, Mannix scored off two penalty shots. The Certified strikers came into action and marked three goals to reduce the lead down to four goals. Interestingly, all the scoring was done by Tomas.
White Birch further dominated their grip over the game in the second last when Mannix scored three more goals. Tomas converted a penalty shot to close out the chukka with White Birch trailing by six goals, 13-7.
The last goal from White Birch was also scored from Mannix in the final frame which was countered by a couple of goals from Tomas and Adam Snow. However, White Birch won the game and as well booked a place in the semi-final stage with a 14-9 win over Certified.
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