y JACK LAYTONSpecial to The Garden Island ANINI—Ka`aina DeCoite, the “Tropical Depression” from Maui, was the dominant player on the Anini Polo Field when Budweiser edged JJ’s Broiler 5-4 in a four-chukker matchup last Sunday. John Elwin got things rolling
y JACK LAYTONSpecial to The Garden Island
ANINI—Ka`aina DeCoite, the “Tropical Depression” from Maui, was the
dominant player on the Anini Polo Field when Budweiser edged JJ’s Broiler 5-4
in a four-chukker matchup last Sunday.
John Elwin got things rolling for
JJ’s Broiler in the first chukker by controlling the ball following the bowl
in, but his last drive went wide of the goal allowing Greg Smith an
opportunity to control the ball only to have Budweiser’s DeCoite twart the
shot-attempt with expert hooking.
Smith set up a play to Elwin for another
goal attempt only to have DeCoite block the effort, changing the line of play
and scoring on the play.
Elwin finally succeeded in scoring after taking
the ball on the bowl in.
Julian Chapa executed a slick defensive play in
the second chukker as he cleared the ball out of the goalmouth, denying Elwin
another goal.
DeCoite took control and smoke the length of the field
through traffic with power shots, scoring for Bud.
Another DeCoite coup
followed the bowl in as the Bud rider took off for another score sending the
crowd into wild cheer.
Kamalu Sheldon closed the chukker on the bowl in
only to be hooked off by Chapa. However, he regained control and went on for a
JJ’s score.
Smith picked up the throw in and scored for JJ’s to get the
third chukker moving into a display of defensive tactics with DeCoite breaking
up the stalemate with another Bud score.
But, Smith responded for JJ’s with
a score within the first minute of the final chukker, setting off the DeCoite
display of defensive goal blocking and offensive ball control.
On a penalty
shot for Bud, DeCoite maneuvered the ball around and through heavy traffic with
deft stick handling to score for Budweiser with the score reading 5-4 at the
final bell.
Polo continues on Sunday at Anini Polo Field with a single
matchup starting at 3:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00 per
person.
Teams:
Budweiser: Julian Chapa, Celia Goodman, Ka`aina DeCoite.
JJ’s Broiler: Kamalu Sheldon, Greg Smith, John Elwin. Umpire: Mike
Longley.
