The much-anticipated final in the 2019 Joe Barry Memorial Cup saw Dutta Corp (Timmy Dutta, Lucas Diaz Alberdi, Gringo Colombres and Kris Kampsen) utilize a balanced offensive attack and an organized defense to defeat Patagones (Joaquin Avendano, Benjamin Avendano, Santiago Toccalino and Tomas Garcia de Rio) 11-8 on U.S. Polo Assn. Field 1 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington on Sunday, Jan. 13.
With the previous two match-ups between the two teams providing close contests, Dutta Corp pulled ahead with a dominant third chukker. Actively using Dutta downfield as a receiver, Dutta Corp was able to consistently gain the field advantage, forcing Patagones back into their own half. The normally potent Patagones counter-attack by Garcia del Rio and Toccalino was contained throughout most of the game by a passive Dutta Corp defense that kept their opponents in front of them and prevented break-away runs.
Early in the game, the two teams were evenly matched, trading two goals each in the opening minutes, until a penalty 1 goal in favor of Benjamin Avendano gave Patagones a 3-2 lead at the conclusion of the first chukker. Tournament scoring leader Toccalino continued to lead the Patagones attack, adding his third goal of the game before the end of the second chukker, but it was Dutta who responded with a goal in each of the first and second chukkers to push his team back into a 5-5 tie. With Colombres and Diaz Alberdi actively working in the middle of the field, the emergence of Dutta in the tournament pushed Dutta Corp onto the next level they needed to remain undefeated. Unforced errors from Patagones in the third chukker saw Kampsen take advantage for Dutta Corp, scoring three goals, two from the penalty line, as the team raced into the lead, holding a 9-6 halftime advantage.
The second half featured a different pace of play, as defensive efforts tightened, with Dutta Corp trying to keep their lead by containing the elite duo of Garcia del Rio and Toccalino. Foul trouble became a factor for Dutta Corp, as the team provided Patagones with opportunities to fight their way back into the game, yet Patagones converted just 1 of 6 penalty attempts over the final three chukkers. Dutta’s third goal of the game, bringing his tournament total to an impressive 15 goals, saw Dutta Corp’s lead pushed to four with one chukker remaining. Three missed penalty attempts for Patagones in the final chukker sealed the game, as Dutta Corp held on for a fifth consecutive victory and a second straight tournament victory.
