2012 USPA Arena Open

Black Watch bounces back to earn
USPA Arena Polo Open final berth

By Alex Webbe

Nacho Figueras scored eight times as in leading his Black Watch (Figueras, Kareem
Rosser and Naco Taverna) team to a 12-9 win over Cedar Croft Farm (Johnny Redlich,
Horton Schwartz and Nick Manifold) Wednesday night in the second round of play in the
2012 USPA Arena Open Championship at Country Farms Polo Club in Medford, New
York.

Bouncing back after suffering a humbling 18-7 defeat in the tournament’s opening
contest, Black Watch took control of the game from the onset, scoring five unanswered
goals in the opening chukker of play.

“We fell behind early in our last game,” said Figueras, “but got things going against
Cedar Croft Farm from the opening throw-in.”

“I had never played arena polo before,” offered Figueras, “and with the quickness
of play and the talent of the opposing players (American 10-goaler Tommy Biddle
captained the Weill Cornell team that treated his Black Watch team so inhospitably in
the opener) we were outgunned.”

Ten-goal polo legend Carlos Gracida related a similar experience in his first arena
game. “I finally figured out the game, but by the time I did, it was over,” he said.

There is a premium on horsemanship and stick play, to be sure, but teamwork, strategy
and positioning are also at a premium in the arena game.

Naco Taverna scored the opening goal of the game followed by two goals apiece from
teammates Nacho Figueras and Kareem Rosser. Cedar Croft Farm failed to get on the
scoreboard as Black Watch rode off to an early 5-0 advantage.

Figueras added two more goals to the Black Watch total in the second period while
Cedar Croft Farm finally got on the scoreboard. Two goals from Johnny Redlich and a
single goal from Horton Schwartz ended the first half. Black Watch continued to lead,
7-3.

The third chukker featured Schwartz and Figueras, with each player scoring four times
for their respective teams. With one chukker left to be played Black Watch held on to
the four goal lead, 11-7. Goals from Redlich and Schwartz were offset by a single pony
goal from the Black Watch team for the 12-9 final.

Figueras led all scoring with eight goals. Rosser scored twice and Taverna added a
goal. One goal was credited as a pony goal.

“Kareem had an outstanding game,” said Figueras, “the best game he’s played so far.
We’re really looking forward to Saturday’s finals.”

Schwartz scored six goals for Cedar Croft Farm. Redlich added three goals in the loss.
The Black Watch victory boosted the team into Saturday’s finals against a yet-to-be-
determined opponent. A final preliminary match is slated to be played Friday night at
7pm between Tommy Biddle’s Cornell Weill team and Cedar Croft Farm.

Figueras had indicated that a revised Black Watch lineup would appear for the finals
with 6-goaler Kris Kampsen replacing Taverna.

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