Tito's defeats Hillcroft in a Polo Club nailbiter

Tito's played Hillcroft in the Maduro & Diamond Vault Cup Sunday, at the Sarasota Polo Club.

With one minute remaining in regulation, Tito’s broke the tie, converting a penalty 2 to defeat Hillcroft in the sixth chukker with a final score of 8-7.

Joe Wayne Barry scored in the first minute of the game for Tito’s before Nick Cifuni converted the first of many penalty shots.

Juan Martin Obregon, who scored five goals, scored first for Hillcroft on a cut shot on the east end, followed by Nick Johnson of Hillcroft finishing a carry to tie it at two in the first chukker. Barry converted another penalty for Tito’s, a 60-yard shot, followed by James P. Uihlein, giving Tito's a two-goal lead to end the second chukker.

Both teams converted a penalty 2 and a field goal in the third chukker, leaving it at 6-4 Tito’s going into halftime.

Hillcroft came out firing in the second half. The team converted a penalty 2 and Johnson put in another chip shot to tie the game.

In the fifth chukker, Barry and Obregon each powered through the pack to convert; both teams entered the sixth chukker with seven goals. Strong defense by both teams kept the score tied throughout most of the sixth chukker. Geronimo Obregon saved a near goal by Obregon, then a penalty 2 against Hillcroft converted by Barry put the win in the books for Tito's.

MVP for the day was Barry. Best playing pony was Conoso, played by Uihlein.

WANT TO WATCH?
There’s a match at 1 p.m. every Sunday, at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Sarasota. For more information, call 720-2912.