Argentinian Juan Humbert (left), representing the Appleton team, makes an under-the-neck shot in Sunday's NCB Capital Markets Jamaica Open Polo Tournament at the Kingston Polo Club, Caymanas Estates. Stalking Humbert is fellow Argentinian Jorge Donovan (right), representing the victorious Spanish Court team, Member of Parliament James Robertson (centre) and umpire Lesley Fong-Yee. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Argentinians Jorge Donovan and Juan Humbert, both playing on opposing teams, dominated the scoring in the opening matches of the fourth annual NCB Capital Markets Jamaica Open Polo Tournament at the Kingston Polo Club, Caymanas Estates, on Sunday.

Both scored four goals each in the opening match between defending champions Spanish Court Hotel, the red team, and the yellow-clad Appleton team, which saw Spanish Court clipping their opponents by six goals to 5-1/2 in an exciting contest which went down to the wire.

Donovan, however, lifted his team by scoring crucial goals. Humbert, on the other hand, matched him with goals, but his team went under owing to their inability to put away 'sitters' in the northern goal, which proved a jinx.

Crucial stage

Although the red team comprising Donovan, Paul Lalor, Mark Wates and Marc Melville led by four goals to 1-1/2 as early as the first chukka, the yellow team fought back strongly to grab the lead at 5-1/2 to five at the end of the third chukka.

The yellow team comprised Humbert, Member of Parliament James Robertson, Craig Russell and the Argentinian Santiago Wulff, who after flying in from Florida just in time for the match, gave the yellow team the lead from a mêlée.

However, with the match delicately placed in the final chukka, Donovan broke loose at a crucial stage to gain the winner.

In addition to Donovan, Lalor and Wates scored one each to secure the victory. A relieved Donovan praised the efforts of his team.

"We did well to withstand the pressure after the yellow team fought back courageously at the halfway stage and even managed to pass us," he said. "But we kept our composure under tremendous pressure and I got the goal which made the difference late in the fourth and final chukka.

"In a way, luck was on our side as the yellow team found it difficult for some reason to convert in the top goal. We are looking forward to Wednesday's match and hopefully the final on Sunday. We have a title to defend," he noted.

Competitive match

Humbert said his team went down fighting and with a little luck, the result would have been different.

"It was a very tough and competitive match and, in the end, it could have gone either way. I played my part with four goals and my teammates James, Craig and Santiago gave their best. I think we can definitely rebound on Wednesday," said the Argentinian.

It was even closer in the second match which saw the black clad Team Jamaica edging out Team Mitsubishi (white team) 9-8 in the final seconds of their match, thanks to a penalty by Kurt Chin. The winning team comprised Kurt (three goals), his brother Paul Chin, Andy Vernon and John G. Byles with four goals.

The white team was represented by Shane Chin, Lesley Fong-Yee (three goals), Fernando Asanjo (three goals) and the Argentinian Martin Ravina.

In addition to NCB Capital Markets, the tournament is being sponsored by the Jamaica Tourist Board, Appleton Estate Rums, Mitsubishi, American Airlines, Caribbean Producers Limited, Spanish Court Hotel, Fiction, Swiss Stores and Wisynco/Coke.