Casablanca claims the Herbie Pennell Cup
The sidelines of the pristine Engel & Völkers field were filled to capacity with enthusiastic spectators as players mounted for the final of the Herbie Pennell Cup between the Casablanca and Villa del Lago teams. The Herbie Pennell Cup is one of three 20-goal tournaments held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach during the winter season. Villa del Lago overcame Lechuza Caracas in the semifinal to secure their position in today's match. Casablanca, a strong team brimming with young talent, swiftly defeated Coca-Cola on Friday. Both teams are coming off strong semifinal wins, arrived to the field confident in their abilities to control the final Sunday game.
Polito Pieres, recently raised to a10-goal rating in Argentina, started off the game on a flashy note. Pieres showed off for the crowd as he dribbled the ball in the air and through the goal posts. Roldan battled his way through a crowd of horses and popped the ball through the air to add two consecutive goals to the Casablanca tally. Pieres quickly answered back, scoring two more goals for the Villa del Lago team. The first chukker ended with Villa del Lago on top 3-2.
Miguel Novillo Astrada fought back for the Casablanca team and took advantage of a foul called against Villa del Lago, easily shooting a penalty three through the uprights. Agustin Obregon wowed the audience with a difficult, deep neck shot through the goal followed by two more goals, one by Pieres and another by Obregon to bring Villa del Lago up by three goals, 6-3 to end the 2nd chukker.
Villa del Lago played an strong, offensive third chukker to push the team further ahead. Three goals scored by Villa del Lago and two goals scored by Casablanca, kept Villa del Lago in the lead 9-5 at half.
Casablanca, down by four goals, had to make their move in order to stay in the game. Roldan and M. Novillo Astrada did just that, scoring a combined three goals. The Casablanca team made their comeback run as players streaked up and down the field putting Casablanca within one goal, 9-8.
A right-of-way infraction gave Casablanca an open goal shot from the 30-yard line. Roldan tapped the team's ninth goal of the game through to tie the score. A similar foul called against Casablanca put Villa del Lago at the advantage, giving Pieres an easy goal from the 30-yard mark. Novillo Astrada sailed through a pack of players to add a third goal to the Casablanca tally for the 5th chukker, once again tying the score 10-10.
It came down to the wire in the sixth chukker as both teams battled for control of the ball. Novillo Astrada was the first to put the ball through the goal giving Casablanca the edge. A second goal by Roldan aided in their offensive effort and kept their momentum rolling. With their lead now gone, Pieres was forced to turn on the magic and crushed a shot through the goal. An end of the chukker score by Roldan ended the game with Casablanca on top 13-11.
After a tough game, the players were presented with awards by Herbie Pennell's son, Bob Pennell. The horses in polo are considered to be athletes and are judged throughout the game for their ability. Paulina, a mare owned and ridden by Novillo Astrada was named Best Playing Pony. Novillo Astrada was awarded Most Valuable Player.