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February
18, 2007
.........................
 The
title and the record for New Bridge La Dolfina
By YA
Adolfo Cambiaso and Matias Magrini proved they are still the best one-two
combination in polo, scoring all the goals as defending champion New Bridge
La Dolfina defeated BTA 12-10 to capture the 22-goal Ylvisaker Cup presented
by Cartier championship Sunday at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Cambiaso scored a game-high nine goals and was named the MVP as New Bridge
La Dolfina won its 20th consecutive match over the last two seasons at
International Polo Club.
“I think it’s
great, it’s unbelievable, but honestly we have the best player in
the world and Russ gives us everything we need, the whole control of the
team and that’s a big plus,” said Magrini. “So, yes,
it’s amazing. But we never think about it, we just go game by game.
And now our biggest concern is Thursday (when Magrini and Cambiaso suit
up for Crab Orchard in the 26-goal C.V. Whitney tournament).”
The outcome wasn’t
as close as the final score as BTA scored three goals in the final 1:33,
the last one with 14 seconds remaining. But it wasn’t easy, either.
It was a physical, hard-hitting game and several players were dismounted
but not injured.
BTA led only once,
when it received a goal by handicap at the start the game, and there were
two ties, the last at 3-3 early in the third chukker. BTA, however, cut
the margin to 8-7 with 5:51 left in the fifth chukker on a 60-yard grounder
by Fred Mannix Jr. But New Bridge La Dolfina responded quickly, scoring
three unanswered goals in a span of 2:07 to go ahead 11-7 at the end of
the fifth. Cambiaso converted a 60-yard penalty shot, then assisted on
Magrini’s tap-in goal with 1:17 left. Cambiaso and Magrini worked
a two-on-one breakaway against Jeff Hall, with Cambiaso getting the goal
with 32 seconds left.
Cambiaso sealed the
victory when he picked up a loose ball and drove down the middle to give
New Bridge La Dolfina a 12-7 advantage with 5:14 left. “We have
to work for Adolfo to be effective,” said Magrini. “We didn’t
say anything to each other (when it was 8-7). “We know our jobs
and what we’re supposed to do.”
New Bridge La Dolfina
patron Russ McCall was understandably happy after the match. “The
game was hard but at least the other three guys took all the bumps,”
said McCall. “The other team played really hard but we were all
well mounted and that was the big difference.”
BTA patron Kelly Beal
made several key defensive plays, repelling two shots in the goal match
in the second half. “These guys played their hearts out,”
said Beal, referring to his three pro players. “I’m disappointed
we lost. That’s an incredible team (New Bridge La Dolfina). You
have to be right on (to beat them). You cannot miss.”
Fred Mannix Jr. led
BTA with six goals, but could not provide the last-minute heroics that
propelled them into the final with game-winning goals in both the semifinals
and quarterfinals. Jeff Hall added two goals, Daniel Roenisch scored one
goal.“I’m honored to play in a final named after Bill (Ylvisaker),”
added Beal. “He’s the same age as my father and they both
meant a lot to the sport.”
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