INSIDE POLO with Ron Allen

 

After four games in six hours just 4 teams remain in the title hunt for the 2013 U.S. Open polo championship. The Final Four have been decided in south Florida as the stage is set for a mid-week show down in this years semi-final competition.

 

The unprecedented one-day quadruple header opened with warm weather under beautiful blue skies. Die-hard polo fans from all around the country have poured into Wellington to witness the final week of high goal polo matches.

 

Game 1: Audi vs. Zacara

Audi got off to a strong start with a 5 to 3 lead by half time but Zacara turned it on in the fourth chukker scoring six unanswered goals to lead by two at the end of the fourth and 10 to 8 after five chukkers. Final score Zacara 12 and Audi 8.

Game 2: ERG vs. Alegria

This match saw Alegria trying to get back on track after being upset by Orchard Hill earlier in the week. Bad luck continued to plague the Canadian based team as EGR managed to stay close and tie the game at the half at 8-all. ERG moved ahead in the fifth and went on to win. Alegria had a chance to tie late in the game but missed a 60 yard penalty shot. ERG 10, Alegria 9

Game 3: Valiente vs. Orchard Hill

The Denver based Valiente team took control in the third chukker compiling a 7 to 4 lead by half time. Things took a dramatic turn in the fifth as Orchard Hill tied the game at 10 all with four minutes left. Santi Torres (6) played his best game of the season knocking in seven goals as Valiente fought back to win 15 to 12.

 

Game 4: Coca Cola vs. Lechuza

This game could have gone either way as both teams traded leads throughout the match. Starting the last chukker Coca Cola was losing by two until Sugar Erskine (7) managed to tie it at 10 all with 2:40 left in the game. After a mad scramble in front of the goal Sebastian Merlos (9) managed to knock in the winning goal with only 38 seconds left in the game.

Coca Cola 11, Lechuza Caracas 10 

Parings for the semi finals will have defending champion Zacara against ERG and Coca Cola will have to find a way to upset the undefeated polo machine of Valiente.

 

Ron Allen reports on polo for ESPN TV and Pololine TV