The finals of the C.V. Whitney was just what most people thought it would be: a very hard-hitting tough game. I said it would be tough without A.C., but it was tougher with him. He did what we talked about— used his jets and followed behind, and it worked. To me there is no doubt young Peke Gonzalez should be MVP. He worked tirelessly against one of the best players on Earth in this Polo game. He also scored some goals, but what was amazing is how good him and Lucas worked with and for AC. They made a couple of miss-communications, but so few.
THE GAME FROM WHAT I COULD SEE.
Chukkar 1 was like 2 chukars in one. Pilot came out in Turbo mode and scored 3 goals in just over 3 minutes, but the game changed with about 3 minutes left, as here comes Valiente making two in just under 2 minutes. They missed a close in to tie, trailing 2 to 3 at the end of the chukkar. Lucas, Curtis, and Matias were flying as Bang Bang Facundo kept ringing the bell, but Mr. Bob, Peke and Lucas knew who was behind them and there was no panic.
Chukkar 2 was another show, following the last 1/2 of the first, as it was all Peke and Lucas of Valeinte making plays and making holes—tying them early and then going up by 2, winning the second by 3. Chukkar 3 was probably the most defensive of all, as both teams were very strong and very well mounted. Maybe the best mounted chukkar with both scoring only 1 — Pilot scoring their first goal since the 3rd minute of the 1st chukkar. They finished the first half with the score 4 to 6, Valiente up by 2.
The 2nd half started strong with Pilot reaching out and striking in 3— 1 a safety and 2 from the field. Bang Bang missed his first #4 in 3 games, but closed the gap 8 to 7. Pilot still losing the game but winning the chukkar by 3 to 2, and it was getting tough. Still the biggest thing was the amazing amount of push Peke continued to put on the defense of Pilot. Chukkar 5 started with a couple of open goals: one by each team, keeping the score close. And with Facundo banging the equalizer just wide, they stayed down by one, headed to the 6th.
Away we went to the final chukkar, and it was a barn burner. It started fast, and Facundo missed his 2nd #4, but soon after he buried another goal, to tie it up with 6 minutes to go. But Lucas and Peke were doing their jobs very well, and it was Valiente again who made the final and winning goal, putting themselves on the trophy stand. They only scored 2 goals in the last two chukkars but it was enough! And overall, the game was it as it gets!
WELL DONE VALIENTE: BOB JORNAYVAZ, PEKE GONZALEZ, LUCAS CRIDAO JR and ADOLFO CAMBIASO!
MVP PEKE GONZALEZ
BPP CARPONCHA PLAYED BY PEKE GONZALEZ
FINALS #2 IS OVER AT GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CENTER. THE FINALS OF THE ALL STAR CHALLENGE.
RICHARD MILLIE VS CASABLANCA
A game I expected to be much better than it was. I thought the extra rest from Sunday to Sunday was going to be a big advantage for RH, but it was just the opposite. They never seemed as up to speed as last week, getting beat constantly to the ball and not nearly as sharp as Casablanca. RH stayed close though with CasaBlanca up 5 to 3 at 1/2 time. It looked like RH was coming back as they tied it up in the 4th, but it was short lived. CasaBlanca won the 5th 4 to 1, and just kept on rolling winning the game 14 to 9. Speed was not as expected. Lots of turning and not a wide open game. Barto made 6 penalties and four from the field, I think.
Well done Casablanca – Grant Ganzi, Tom Pieres. Barto Castagnola and Jessie Bray . CHAMPIONS OF THE ALLSTAR CHALLENGE 2023
A BIT OF A SMART ASS THING TO SAY, BUT MAYBE THE NFL SUPER BOWL COMMITTEE SHOULD COME AND LOOK AT A POLO FIELD SO IT WON’T BE SO SLICK AND SLIPPERY FOR THE NEXT ONE.
CYA @ POLO
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