Agustin Merlos Scores 5 Goals to Lead Crab Orchard Over Berenberg Bank 11-9 in Outback 40-Goal Challenge Saturday at International Polo Club
By YA Teitelbaum
February 17, 2007

WELLINGTON, FL (February 17, 2007) – Agustin Merlos may have been the MVP and top scorer but he knows the importance of playing in the annual Outback 40-Goal Challenge.

Merlos scored five goals, all in the second half, to lead Crab Orchard over Berenberg Bank 11-9 in the seventh annual exhibition match Saturday at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

“It’s always a fun game to play in,” said Merlos, in his second year as a 10-goaler, “because you have a motive to help and that’s the most important reason.”

The game was tied 6-6 after four chukkers before Crab Orchard took control of the game in the fifth, scoring three unanswered goals by Agustin Merlos, Sebastian Merlos and Miguel Novillo Astrada in a span of 2:50 to take a 10-7 lead. Berenberg Bank never got closer than two goals the rest of the game.

Gonzalito Pieres cut the margin to 9-7 with 2:20 remaining but Agustin Merlos’ 60-yard safety with 56 seconds left increased the margin to three goals. He clinched the outcome with a two-yard penalty shot with 5:36 left in the game.

Berenberg Bank sliced into the lead on goals by Mariano Aguerre and Facundo Pieres but Pieres missed a 120-yard shot with 1:10 left that would have made things interesting.

“It was a lot of fun and it’s good to play this kind of polo,” said Astrada. “I’m honored to play in this game because that means that I’m one of the best players. And it’s very nice to help others doing what we love to do.”

Adolfo Cambiaso added three goals for Crab Orchard, while Astrada finished with two goals and Sebastian Merlos had one goal.

Facundo Pieres led Berenberg Bank with five goals while Mike Azzaro scored two goals. Gonzalito Pieres and Mariano Aguerre scored one goal each.

Agustin Merlos has eight goals in two games.

“Scoring the most goals just happened,” said Merlos. “I had the most chances. We just wanted to play classic polo and nice polo for the crowd.”

Proceeds from the gate, a VIP dinner as well as a silent and live auction benefits the Polo Players Support Group, Inc., a 501(c)(3) which was created to provide financial assistance to seriously injured or ill polo players or grooms. Among the players who have received financial help are Rob Walton, who was an 8-goaler and was injured in 1995 when playing in Malaysia, and to date the PPSG has provided financial assistance to 21 seriously injured or ill players and grooms.

Major sponsors include Outback Steakhouse, Crab Orchard, Berenberg Bank, Carrabba’s, Michelob Ultra, Bud Light Polo, Brown Distributing, Bessemer Trust, La Martina, The Tackeria, Lady Walton Cookies, Salvatore Ferragamo, Catena Watches, The Morning Line and Kendall Jackson wines.

Earlier in the day, Spencewood Ranch – Nicolas Roldan, Toby Wayman, Kris Kampsen and Todd Offen – were the winners of the third annual Jimmer Newman Memorial Trophy at International Polo Club.

In addition to Spencewood Ranch, Audi Polo and Millarville played in a round-robin to determine the winner. All 12 players were close friends of Newman, who tragically passed away on October 8, 2004. He was an up-and-coming 24-year-old player and the son of IPC’s polo manager, Jimmy Newman.