WELLINGTON, Florida – Ten-goalers Miguel Novillo Astrada and Adam Snow scored 50 seconds apart early in the sixth chukker to snap an 8-8 tie and lift Bendabout over Millarville 10-9 in a first-round match of the 26th annual C.V. Whitney Cup 26-goal polo tournament Monday at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Astrada opened the sixth chukker by knocking in a backshot from 15 yards to give Bendabout a 9-8 lead. On the ensuing possession, Snow converted a 30-yard penalty shot to give Bendabout a 10-8 advantage with 5:59 left in the game.

Frederick Mannix tapped in a loose ball from 10 yards out with 1:15 left in the game to cut the margin to 10-9 but the teams spent the rest of the game trying to gain control near midfield.

Millarville ‘s Mariano Gonzalez scored three consecutive goals to tie the game at 7-7 with 1:06 remaining in the fourth chukker. Teammate Frederick Mannix converted a 30-yard penalty shot with 5:17 left in the fifth chukker to give Millarville an 8-7 advantage. After Gonzalez missed a 60-yard penalty shot, Snow made a 30-yard penalty shot with 2:36 remaining to tie the game at 8-8.

Snow finished with a team-high seven goals while Astrada added two goals and patron Gillian Johnston scored one goal for Bendabout (1-0). Alejandro Novillo Astrada did not score.

Eight-goaler Mariano Gonzalez finished with a team-high five goals and Frederick Mannix added four goals for Millarville (0-2). Daniel Roenisch and Augustin Zavaleta did not score.

Thirteen teams entered the tournament, which is a prelude to the Stanford Financial Group – 100th U.S. Open Polo Championship, the most prestigious polo tournament in North America. The C.V. Whitney Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, March 21 at 3 p.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach stadium.

The tournament is named in memory of Cornelius Vanderbilt “Sonny” Whitney, who along with his brother John Hay Whitney, were important polo patrons in the 1930's. The son of Hall of Fame patron Harry Payne Whitney, C.V. won the U.S. Open three times (twice against his brother), and was a renowned owner and breeder of thoroughbred racehorses.

The polo matches are open to the public. Tickets for the Sunday games at the International Polo Club Palm Beach are available at the gate, beginning at $10 each. For information or advance tickets, call (561) 204-5687 or visit the club website at www.internationalpoloclub.com.

International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. From I-95, take the Forest Hill Boulevard exit and go west approximately 12 miles. Turn left onto South Shore Boulevard and go two miles. Turn left onto Pierson Road, travel about one mile and then make a right onto 120th Avenue South. The club is on the right. From Florida’s Turnpike, take Exit 93 (Lake Worth Road) and go west about six miles. Make a right onto 120th Avenue South. The club is on the left.

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