VALIENTE AND FLEX JET REMAIN UNBEATEN; FIRST WIN FOR ORCHARD HILL
By Alejandra Ocampo
Orchard Hill, Valiente and FlexJet scored wins, following a triple matchday of the US Open, that takes place at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Orchard Hill and Audi met up to play the day’s opening game. The title holders had a strong start – three goals by Facundo Pieres gave them an early 3-1 lead, by the end of the first chukker. Menwhile, Nic Roldán scored Audi’s single goal.
Slowly, Audi were getting into the game, however Orchard Hill remained in the lead. Audi managed to cut the margin to one goal by half time (6-7), following goals by Roldán and Alejandro Novillo Astrada.
But Orchard Hill took the field by storm in the second half, in order to consolidate their leadership. Although Audi were a tough foursome to battle, Steve van Andel’s team, led by a powerful Facundo Pieres, strengthened their attack to take a 10-7 advantage with one chukker remaining.
Jota Chavanne and Facundo Pieres sealed a more than important first win for Orchard Hill in the last chukker.
Score Orchard Hill: 3-1, 6-4, 7-6, 8-6, 10-7, 12-8
Scorers
Orchard Hill: Facundo Pieres 9, Polito Pieres 3
Audi: Nic Roldán 6, Alejandro Novillo Astrada 2
Photo Gallery: Orchard Hill vs. Audi
Up next, Valiente remained unbeaten following a 17-12 win over Coca Cola. Bob Jornayvaz’s team took off in the second chukker, when they took an impressive 7-2 advantage, a result that made things quite difficult for Coca Cola.
Valiente displayed their usual powerful team play. In addition to Adolfo Cambiaso’s incredible skills, Diego Cavanagh and Matías Torres Zavaleta led Valiente’s scoring.
In spite of their efforts, Coca Cola couldn’t do that muc to get closer in the score. With only one chukker remaining, Valiente was 17-8 up. Coca Cola outscored Valiente 4-0 in the last chukker, but the damage was already done: Valiente took their second win home, another step towards their main goal, the Triple Crown.
Score Valiente: 3-3, 7-2, 10-5, 12-8, 17-8, 17-12
Scorers
Valiente: Diego Cavanagh 6, Matias Torres Zavaleta 6, Adolfo Cambiaso 5
Coca Cola: Julio Arellano 6, Julián de Lusarreta 2, Gillian Johnston 2, Miguel Novillo Astrada 1
Photo Gallery: Valiente vs. Coca Cola
Sunday action came to an end with the feature match, between Flex Jet and Travieso.
The first half belonged to Travieso. They were solid enough to even hold Flex Jet scoreless in the second chukker. By half time, Travieso had a 6-4 lead.
Melissa Ganzi and her boys changed the situation in the second part. With Gonzalito Pieres Jr and Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade leading the attack, a regrouped Flex Jet foursome cut the margin to one goal (6-7). They outscored Travieso 3-0 in the fifth chukker to earn their first lead (9-8).
Nothing was said and done yet – Travieso’s Sebastián Merlos scored to tie at 9-all in the last chukker, but Flex Jet replied quickly. Gonzalito and Rodrigo, once again, came up to seal the 11-9 victory for Melissa’s team, who, like Valiente, remained undefeated.
Photo Gallery: Flex Jet vs. Travieso
Score Flex Jet: 1-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-7, 9-8, 11-9
Scorers
Flex Jet: Gonzalo Pieres Jr. 4, Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade 3, Nicolás Pieres 2, Melissa Ganzi 1
Travieso: Mariano Gonzalez 5, Sebastián Merlos 2, Alfredo Cappella 1, Teo Calle 1
The US Open will resume on Wednesday, April 12 as follows:
10am: Flex Jet vs. Valiente
12pm: Coca Cola vs. Audi
3pm: Orchard Hill vs. Travieso