El Folded Hills Pope Challenge tuvo una gran edición, aún sin público. Para jugar en la final, hubo un shoot-out el viernes 12 entre Antelope, BenSoleimani.com y Dundas 2 para asegurar un lugar contra Antelope Jr en la gran definición del domingo 14 en Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. La final terminó siendo un enfrentamiento padre contra hijo entre Antelope y Antelope Jr. El partido, intenso, de ida y vuelta, terminó 11-8 a favor de Antelope Jr. El jugador más valioso fue Grant Palmer y el BPP (Best Playing Pony) fue para Sandunga, jugada por Felipe Vercillino. Completaron el equpo campéon Juan Monteverde y Bauti Von Wernich.
Participaron 8 equipos de 12 goles. Fue le segundo torneo del club post pandema.
English version: The final There was a big leadup to the Folded Hills Pope Challenge Final. In order to play in the final, there was a three-way shoot-out on the Friday before between Antelope, BenSoleimani.com, and Dundas 2 to secure a spot against Antelope Jr. on Sunday. The final ended up being a father vs. son matchup between Antelope and Antelope Jr.
The 4 PM match started a little slow as the teams warmed up and felt out how they were going to play. However, halfway through the first chukker, Antelope came out with the first goal from Maco Llambias which Grant Palmer quickly rebutted. The second chukker showed strong defense and clean play with only one goal and one foul the entire seven and a half minutes. The last chukker of the half put Antelope in the lead with two strong penalty shots and another goal from Maco Llambias, ending the half with a score of 4-2.
To start off the second half, Antelope Jr. kicked it into gear scoring five goals total. Felipe Vercillino played this chukker on Best Playing Pony, Sandunga, and made it count with one coast to coast goal and another one from 60 yards out. Antelope tried to turn it back around in the fifth chukker with a nice field goal from Jimmy Wright, but Antelope Jr scored another two goals to keep a steady lead of 9-6 going into the final chukker. Each team scored two goals in the last chukker to maintain the gap in score, but one goal stood out with an impressive cut shot from Grant Palmer. The match finished at 11-8 to Antelope Jr. Antelope Jr. played cohesively as a team that knows each other very well and they reaped the rewards. Most valuable player, Grant Palmer, commented on the match, “It was a very physical game - by continuously passing the ball up the field we were able to stretch our opponents and come out with the win.” The Folded Hills Pope Challenge Final boasted excellent polo and regardless of missing spectators, all players brought their best.
Info: Cory Williams
PH: David Lominska