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March
25, 2007
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 Crab
Orchard wins first big tournament of the year
By
YA
It was unfamiliar territory for Crab Orchard, trailing through four chukkers
for the first time in the tournament, but Adolfo Cambiaso scored five
goals in the second half to lead them to a 12-10 victory over Lechuza
Caracas in the final of the USPA Piaget Gold Cup Sunday on Stanford Field
at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Crab Orchard had dominated the tournament prior to the final, building
huge first-half leads and coasting to victory. Lechuza Caracas won many
of the throw-ins and used a relentless attack to build a 7-5 halftime
advantage and 8-7 through four chukkers. “We had three plays that
changed the game in the fifth chukker,” said Lechuza Caracas captain
Pite Merlos. The first occurred in the opening minute when Cambiaso blocked
a 40-yard penalty shot.
Crab Orchard scored the next two goals, both by Cambiaso, to take a 9-8
lead with 3:50 remaining in the fifth – its first lead since 1-0
at the beginning of the game. Crab Orchard never trailed again, leading
12-9 on Cambiaso’s neck shot with 1:40 remaining. Cambiaso and 9-goaler
Matias Magrini have won 17 of 18 games this season at International Polo
Club, including the last seven in a row. They have also been teammates
on the last two championship USPA Gold Cup teams, leading New Bridge La
Dolfina to the 2006 crown in Aiken, South Carolina.
“I thought it would be a close game,” said Magrini. “We
have been winning by so many goals. In the beginning, there was too much
room between Adolfo and myself. Pelon (David Stirling Jr.) and I started
out playing badly and Sebastian (Merlos) was playing unbelieveable. I’m
happy to win.”
Sebastian Merlos led Lechuza Caracas (4-2) with five goals while Pite
Merlos finished with four goals. Jeff Blake added one goal and patron
“It was a very tough game and they are a wonderful team,”
said Vargas. “We were here and we played hard.” Pite Merlos
agreed with his patron. “La Lechuza played hard, we were pushing
them every single minute,” said Merlos. “It’s a great
team.”
Crab Orchard patron George Rawlings praised his opponents. “They
played the smartest game anyone played against us,” said Rawlings.
“This feels wonderful. Lechuza Caracas is one of the best teams
in the world. This win rewards all the hard work and the good horses.”
Rawlings said the team has dedicated the season in memory of his mother
and Cambiaso’s father-in-law, who each passed away recently. Cambiaso
finished with a team-high six goals and was named the Most Valuable Player.
Stirling Jr. scored four goals while Magrini and Rawlings added one goal
apiece.
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