Photo Credit: Agustina Fonda

Santa Clara, defeated Palm Beach Equine by 14 goals to 11 to qualify for the final of the 18-goal Joe Barry Memorial Cup, played at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

This means that the team comprised of two father-son duos (Luis and Lucas Escobar, and Matias and Keko Magrini) will take on Beverly Polo in the final match once again. It is worth noting that Santa Clara previously claimed a narrow 11-10 OT win over Bill Ballhaus’ team.

Played under heavy rain, the first chukka ended 2-all. Palm Beach Equine bounced back in the second and took a 6-3 advantage, entering half time with a 7-6 lead.

But Santa Clara took control from the fourth chukka onwards. Led Lucas Escobar, who scored five goals, they dominated their opponents to take a commanding 11-7 lead. Palm Beach Equine never gave up. They managed to close the gap down to one goal with only a chukka left to play.

But Santa Clara’s Lucas Escobar came through in the last chukka, adding three more goals to the scoreboard and becoming the top scorer of the match (he scored a total of 9 goals). He secured the win for his team and the Escobar-Magrini squad claimed a place in the final.

The results mean that Santa Clara and Beverly Polo will play the final of the Joe Barry Memorial Cup on Sunday, January 17, at 3pm.

Score Santa Clara: 2-2, 3-6, 6-7, 11-7, 11-10, 14-11.

IMAGES:

Santa Clara vs. Palm Beach Equine

JOE BARRY MEMORIAL CUP – FIXTURE:

Wednesday, January 6: Beverly Polo 12-11 Palm Beach Equine

Sunday, January 10, 3pm: Santa Clara 11-10 Beverly Polo

Wednesday, January 13, 3pm: Santa Clara 14-11 Palm Beach Equine

Sunday, January 17:

12pm: Subsidiary Final – Aspen vs. Palm Beach Equine

3pm: Final: Joe Barry Memorial Cup – Santa Clara vs. Beverly Polo