TWO VERY COMPETITIVE TEAMS CAME TO THE FINALS. ANTELOPE WITH GRANT PALMER, SANTI LLAVAILOL (OR RAVIOLI AS I USUALLY CALL HIM SINCE IT’S EASIER TO SAY), JIM WRIGHT, AND BACK DOOR SENIOR, SANTI TROTZ VS FNB2/FOLDED HILLS WITH WILL BUSCH, JUAN CURBELLO, SANTI WOLF AND BACK DOOR HENRY WALKER.
THE GAME :
Chukkar 1 WOW It was not expected. Antelope was very hungry and came out feasting on FMB/FH, who seemed out of everything from rhythm to steam, losing it 4-1.
Chukkar 2 seemed to continue the same, ending 7-2, and had everyone wondering if FMB could come back. But in the 3rd Chukkar it was Antelope feeling good, as The Ghost (Will Busch) kept them in distance, adding 3 goals and finishing the chukkar and half 9 to 5.
The first half was uneven on penalties. Neither FMB or ANT saw the line, though FM got 4 for them (vs. only 1 for Antelope), and converted 3 out of 4 into goals.
Chukkar 4 was a good fast chukkar, with only 3 whistles, one being a safety that kept the chukkar score tied 2 to 2. It ended 11-7, with some good penalty shots.
Chukkar 5 was a repeat of the 4th, as both Antelope and FMB/FH scored 2 goals each, ending with FMB still up by 4.
Chukkar 6 was all Folded Hills/FMB 2. Henry and The Ghost became new riders, stopping ANT’s attempts and controlling the field as big guns. They really started to rock and also got a few breaks..about 6 foul shots vs only one for Antelope. Seemed a little odd– refs definitely controlled the chukkar with 6 to 1 in favor of FM. But, all in all, it was good polo and it’s very seldom you see a team come back from 4 down, but they did. And to overtime we went at 13-13!
OT was the worst refereed OT I have ever seen. It was even and both teams had a chance from the line, but rules are rules, and boy were they were skipped in OT. Do not ask me–watch the video and then disagree. However, no matter your opinion, this 2 Patron team of Will Busch, the Ghost, and Henry Walker was amazing to watch. They played incredibly and were used as a critical part of the team, which is why they won.
As SB goes dark for a while, it was a great 12 Goal Season. A little short in length, but it was maybe the best crowd we’ve had in 10 years, and I think a big thanks for that is due to Mr. Nacho Figueras and Prince Harry. They have brought Polo back to SBPC without a doubt. As usual, the Face of Polo has that TOUCH! THANKS FOR BEING HERE GENTLEMEN.
THE HIGH GOAL STARTS IN EARLY JULY SO COME ON UP OR DOWN–WE WILL BE HERE!
cya ASAP
internationalpoloconnection.com 