Farmers & Merchants Bank- Dan Walker, Tim Rudy, Matthew Walker & Leigh Brecheen presented by Karlene Garber..

The 8 Goal final of the Carlton and Keleen Beal Memorial Tournament featured two teams with a pretty strong history of winning polo games in the desert. Danny Walker brought his FMB organization (Danny Walker 2, Matthew Walker 2, Leigh Brecheen, Tim Rudy 3) to match up against Geoff Palmer and his Antelope group (Geoff Palmer, Grant Palmer, Santiago Trotz 4, Marcos Llambias 4).

Many on hand surmised that Antelope – based on the previously mentioned history – would come out on top. However, history doesn’t mean a lot when the ball is bowled in and play starts and this final was no exception. From the outset it was apparent that previous victories meant nothing and it was all about today and today only.

With a handicap award of one, FMB never trailed, and won by a final count of 11 – 8.

The first period went to FMB with a penalty three from Dan Walker and a penalty four strike by Matt Walker. Antelope garnered one with a field goal from Trotz and the bankers led by a pair at 3 – 1.

Field goals by Llambias and Grant Palmer in the second chukker to none for FMB allowed Antelope to even the tally at three going to the third.

The third was the same as the second with one exception – the bankers scored and the pronghorns didn’t. The FMB counters came from Rudy and Dan Walker allowing them to lead once again at 5 – 3 at halftime.

FMB’s Rudy scored a field goal in the fourth chukker while Llambias countered with one of his own and Grant Palmer was good with a penalty three for Antelope. The count was 6 – 5 with the bankers in control.

Antelope tied the score twice in the fifth period with field goals from Llambias and Grant Palmer but a field goal from Matt Walker and another penalty three conversion from Dan Walker retained the one goal FMB lead going to the final frame at 8 – 7.

Three goals in the sixth from Matt Walker (a penalty two and two from the field) to just one in reply from Antelope’s Grant Palmer (a penalty two) gave the Beal 8 Goal title to FMB.

The Beal awards – including commemorative belt buckles - were presented by Karlene Beal Garber.

With his strong and accurate hitting ability, Matt Walker was selected as the MVP and Garrapinada, played by Dan Walker in the 4th and 6th periods, was adorned with the Best Playing Pony Blanket.

Tony Gregg

BPP- Garrapinada, ownded & played by Dan Walker