Wellington, FL– January 11, 2004 - Crab Orchard jumped out to an 8-3 halftime advantage and coasted to a 12-8 victory over Old Pueblo in a 22-goal Joe Barry Memorial polo match Sunday in front of 1,267 spectators at the new International Polo Club Palm Beach.

The victory clinched the wildcard position in Thursday’s semifinals for Crab Orchard (2-1), along with undefeated division winners Bendabout, Brigadoon and Catamount. Pairings will be announced Monday afternoon.

“We lost in overtime (13-12 to Brigadoon) last week and we were hungry,” said Julio Arellano of Crab Orchard, who led all scorers with eight goals. “Things seemed to go our way. We were pushing hard and the bounces were going our way.”

The teams traded goals in the fourth chukker, which worked in Crab Orchard’s favor as it kept the margin at five, 11-6.

“At halftime, Memo (Gracida) said to get the momentum (again) in the fourth chukker,” said the 31-year-old Arellano. “It was even, but at least they didn’t get the momentum.”

The game featured a father-and-son combination on each team – Memo Gracida and his son Julio for Crab Orchard and John Hall and his son Jeff for Old Pueblo.

Jeff Hall led Old Pueblo (0-3) with four goals while Brandon Phillips scored three and Nicolas Roldan had one.

In other games Sunday, Brigadoon scored the final four goals, including the game-winner by Brian Prichard to edge Everglades 10-9 and clinch a slot in the semifinals. Tiger Kneece led Brigadoon (3-0) with five goals and Adam Snow finished with three goals. Also, Alejandro Astrada scored in overtime to lift Bendabout past Pony Express 12-11 and clinch a spot in the semifinals. Miguel Astrada led Bendabout (2-0) with six goals.

The championship game will be played Sunday at 3 p.m. at the stadium field at International Polo Club Palm Beach. The polo game is open to the public with tickets beginning at $10 each. For information, call (561) 204-5687.

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.