Orchard Hill vs. Valiente II/Tonkawa

01/18/2012, 12:00 pm | 3 IPC

Valiente II/Tonkawa - 14, Orchard Hill - 12

Valiente II remained undefeated at 2-0 after downing a scrappy Orchard Hill (0-3) foursome that staged a second half rally that nearly upset Bob Jornayvaz and his teammates in competition for the 20-goal, Joe Barry Memorial Cup at the International Polo Club in Wellington Wednesday afternoon.

Valiente II rang up four goals in the first chukkers with Julio Gracida and Nacho Astrada registering single goals from the field. Toto Collardin added a pair for the 4-2 lead. Orchard hiss got two goals from Facundo Obregon (one from the field and one on a penalty shot).

Second chukker goals from Collardin Astrada and Gracida had Valiente II boasting a 7-3 lead after two chukkers of play. A single goal from Obregon was all the offense Orchard Hill could muster as they struggled to find a successful rhythm to their play.

The Orchard Hill defense slowed down the Valiente II attack in the third chukker, holding them to a single Astrada goal. Kris Kampsen converted a 40-yard penalty shot for Orchard Hill’s only goal. At the end of the first half, Valiente II held on to an 8-4 lead.

Valiente ran it up to 10-4 in the fourth chukker, with both Gracida and Astrada scoring single goals. Orchard Hill fought to stay in the game but received only a single penalty goal from Obregon. At the end of four chukkers Valiente II led by five goals, 10-5.

For the first timer all day Orchard Hill outscored Valiente II. Fifth chukker combat continued with Obregon scoring twice while Lucas Criado scored his first goal of the afternoon. Collardin scored a goal from the field for Valiente II and Gracida added a penalty goal to end the chukker with Orchard Hill trailing, 12-8 with seven minutes left in regulation time.

Obregon added two goals from the field and two goals on penalty shots in the fourth, cutting deeply into the Valiente II lead. Astrada replied with a goal from the field and a converted penalty shot for the final 14-12 win.

Obregon led all scoring with ten goals. Criado and Kampsen added singe goals.

Astrada scored six goals for Valiente II. Collardin and Gracida scored four goals apiece in the win.