DEBUT WINS FOR FLEX JET AND COCA COLA IN PALM BEACH
By Alejandra Ocampo
Flex Jet and Audi scored wins in the second day of action of the US Open, that took place today at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Flex Jet and Audi played the first match, in the morning. It was the battle of the Ganzis, with Marc (Audi) and Melissa (Flex Jet). It was Marc who opened the scores in the first chukker. Following a goal by Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Audi took an early 2-0 lead.
Flex Jet took off in the second chukker. They outscored Audi 3-1, and the scoreboard read a 3-all.
Melissa’s foursome took their first lead by half time (7-5), with goals by Nico (2) and Gonzalito Pieres, and Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade.
Although Audi put pressure, but Flex Jet managed to hold them back and remain in the lead. With one chukker to go, Melissa and the boys had a 10-8 advantage.
In the six chukker, Audi cut the margin to just one goal, after a goal by NNic Roldán. Marc’s team then strengthened their attackin the remaining minutes within the chukker, but Flex Jet’s defense was strong enough to retain the lead and took the 10-9 win home.
Score Flex Jet: 0-2, 3-3, 7-5, 9-7, 10-8, 10-9
Scorers
Flex Jet: Gonzalo Pieres Jr. 6, Nicolás Pieres 2, Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade 2
Audi: Alejandro Novillo Astrada 4, Nic Roldán 4, Marc Ganzi 1
Coca Cola, recent winners of the Butler Handicap Cup and newcomers, Travieso, met up later, to play the second game, in the afternoon.
Following a 2-all in the first chukker, Coca Cola outscored Travieso 4-0 to take a commanding 6-2 leaad. With Julio Arellano providing his best on attack, Coca Cola widened their lead in the third chukker, and by half time they were 7-4 up.
Gillian Johnston’s team reached a 9-6 lead by the end of the fourth chukker, and although Travieso outscored Coca Cola 2-1 in the next chukker, the lead still belonged to Gillian and Co.
Julio Arellano scored one more time in the sixth chukker, to extend Coca Cola’s advantage to three goals. Despite Sebastián Merlos found the flags for Travieso, time was running out, and by the end of the day, Coca Cola emerged as the winners.
Score Coca Cola: 2-2, 6-2, 7-4, 9-6, 10-8, 11-9
Scorers
Coca Cola: Julio Arellano 5, Miguel Novillo Astrada 3, Julián de Lusarreta 3
Travieso: Mariano Gonzalez 4, Sebastián Merlos 3, Alfredo Cappella 1, Teo Calle 1
The US Open will resume on Sunday April 9, as follows:
10am: Orchard Hill vs. Audi
12pm: Coca Cola vs. Valiente
3pm: Flex Jet vs. Travieso
All U.S. Open games are streamed live on Pololine.TV via USPolo.org.