La Dolfina Marques de Riscal 14 – 11 Park Place

Ojo Caliente 10 – 9 Desert Palm

Two dramatic matches today, one of which went to extra time and a golden goal. Both games also had much in common – the winners were trailing for much of the match but found their gameplan when it mattered most. La Dolfina Marques de Riscal, looking for their first win, were down by three goals, 8-5 at half-time. Park Place were dominant, closing down Poroto Cambiaso and his team-mates and ensuring that Park Place had a cushion at all times. Unfortunately, Marques de Riscal’s patron Alejandro Aznar had a heavy fall in the fourth and had to be subbed by Sammy Luff. Not surprisingly there was a delay to restart this chukka, which probably unsettled both teams. Park Place also had a change of personnel with Andrey Borodin retiring hurt too. His place was taken once again by Matias Maldonado. Park Place continued with their three-goal advantage into the fifth (10-7). Then La Dolfina Marques de Riscal started to apply some pressure on the scoreline. Rufino Merlos produced some lovely play to score, followed up by Cambiaso slotting though a 30-yard penalty. So, with just a one goal difference, the sixth chukka loomed with all to play for. Cambiaso took a penalty 5b, following it up with a bit shot to level the scores with just five minutes left to play. Hilario Ulloa, whose younger brother was on the opposing side, almost immediately converted a Park Place penalty to restore their lead. Then, incredibly, the next four goals were all off the sticks of La Dolfina Marques de Riscal players. A quartet of goals from Cambiaso, Carlos Ulloa and Merlos, to nothing in reply from Park Place, ensured fortunes had very much changed and La Dolfina Marques de Riscal could register their first win!

 A golden goal off the stick of Felix Esain, who had a standout game for Ojo Caliente, won them this fierce battle against Desert Palm. These teams were heading up League Three and so this was always going to be a competitive match; it did not disappoint. Desert Palm were in control of the game until the sixth chukka, with Barto Castagnola regularly making the most of any space he found. Meanwhile, Ojo Caliente struggled to find the form that had won them their opening game. However, Ana Escobedo’s team’s fortunes changed dramatically in the sixth, although it didn’t start that well. Facundo Sola put a penalty four wide, only for Desert Palm to fire through a lovely field goal to extend their lead. Esain then produced a great shot to close the gap a little, following it up with a fabulous run to goal to level the scores, almost on the first bell. Thirty seconds of frenetic play followed but with no more goals the umpires called for extra time. Both teams had chances in this seventh chukka before some great teamwork between Alfredo Capella, Sola and, ultimately, Esain, delivered that crucial golden goal.

Images copyright Pablo Ramirez