Four teams played over two days May 12th - 13th for the fourth and final 2001 6-goal trophy, the U.S.P.A. Players' Cup. The finalists were determined on Saturday, when Emerald Bay beat Nicoma 6 goals to 5, and Immi Pictures beat Long Beach 11 goals to 4.

U.S.P.A Players' Cup Match Report May12-13, 2001

The final of the third and final 2001 6-goal tournament was much anticipated with Emerald Bay, winners of the Dean Mullins Trophy (April 29) facing IMMI Pictures, winners of the Las Canchas Cup (May 6).

IMMI pictures, in light blue, lined up with Heriberto Schoeffer at the front, the proven combination of Hector Monserrat and Sebastian Tkacik at 2 and 3 and Marshall Allen at back. Emerald Bay in dark blue put Juan Caset (in his second tournament game of the day after replacing injured Chad Lande in the 12 goal) at back, with Toby Mayer up the front and Jake Jacobson and Joel Baker at 2 and 3.

The first two chukkers looked all Emerald Bay's with four good steady penalty goals from Jake Jacobson to one in opposition from Sebastian Tkacik. A field goal from Hector Monserrat, and a lovely run from Marshall Allen in the second chukker produced for IMMI Pictures, brought the light blue team within reach but two skillful goals from Joel Baker, including one deep-angled cut backshot from 60 yards put Emerald Bay in the lead 5-2.

IMMI Pictures found its feet and its form in the third period with a goal dribbled from the 60 yard penalty line from Sebastian Tkakic followed by a fast run from half-way from Hector Monserrat, with Juan Caset hot on his heels but not quite close enough to prevent the goal. A 40 yard penalty from Joel Baker brought the half time score to 7-5.

Back on the field behind but gaining going into the fourth chukker, IMMI Pictures consolidated its history of second-half fightbacks with four goals (Heriberto Schoeffer a penalty, Sebastian Tkacik two, and Hector Monserrat a field goal) taking the lead at 9-7 with a minute to go. The Emerald Bay chukker was redeemed by Dr Toby Mayer, who made a magnificent two-hit run to goal from half way to bring his team back to one goal behind.

The fifth and sixth chukkers saw IMMI Pictures add three goals to its tally, with Emerald Bay alternately even and one step behind as it chased IMMI's tally. A lovely 70 yard spot penalty from Joel Baker, and a last-minute (20 second to game-end) open goal penalty goal from Jake Jacobson meant the game was into overtime at 11 goals each. The matter was settled in IMMI Pictures favour in the third minute of overtime, by a penalty three goal safely landed by Sebastian Tkacik.

A look at the penalty tallies re-tells the story of the game Ð six given away by Immi Pictures in the first two chukkers translating to Emerald Bay's early and convincing lead, and seven penalties awarded against Emerald Bay in the fourth and fifth chukkers providing the base for the IMMI Pictures comeback. Evidence of what the old-timers all say Ð polo games are won and lost on keeping out of trouble and making penalty shots.

Thanks to the umpires Podger El Effendi and Matt Walker, and third man