Robin Savage of Savage Pearls tossed in the ball to open the first chukker of the Kauai Polo Club match at Anini Polo Field last Sunday afternoon. Even though her toss was a little wide, she must have had the
Robin Savage of Savage Pearls tossed in the ball to open the first chukker of the Kauai Polo Club match at Anini Polo Field last Sunday afternoon. Even though her toss was a little wide, she must have had the proper spin on it as her team went on to defeat Kuhio Motors 8-4 in the four chukker match.
Stuart Mackenzie cleared, lost the ball to Peter Ganibi, but got it right back firing off a long forehand drive picked up by John Elwin.
Elwin’s shot went over the end line.
Ganibi took the knock in for Kuhio Motors with a power drive stopped short by Mackenzie who moved the ball to Ron Bonaguidi.
Again the ball went over the end line and Ganibi took the knock in.
He maneuvered through traffic with a short shot followed by a long hard drive.
However, everybody had trouble getting by Mackenzie during the match and he was right there to change the line of play.
His shot was picked up by Krista Hawley who sent the ball over the end line.
Max Secunda’s knock in went to Ganibi who was challenged by Mackenzie.
Those two entertained the spectators with some awesome cat-and-mouse play.
Ganibi came away with the ball and galloped down the field with Mackenzie sticking to him like Velcro. After the ball went over the side line, Ganibi and Mackenzie went after it again, but this time Mackenzie came away with the ball.
With grim determination he got by an aggressive Ganibi and slammed the ball through the pylons to score the first goal of the match for Savage Pearls.
The second period began with a flurry of fast action.
Bonaguidi and Mackenzie, displaying excellent teamwork, moved toward goal with well coordinated play.
But Secunda and Ganibi working together challenged them and took the ball away. Mackenzie regained control and raced toward the goal line with Ganibi intent on riding him off.
With perseverance Mackenzie held his course and scored.
Mackenzie next thrilled the fans with a splendid offside forehand shot from near midfield that sailed between the goal posts.
But not giving up, with intense resolve Ganibi and Secunda fought for ball control and with tantalizing teamwork Ganibi was able to fire a shot between the pylons.
As play surged up and down the field in the third period, Elwin smoothly took over, snaked through the opposition, and scored.
Ganibi cleared the toss in with a shot to Secunda, but Elwin intercepted and moved the ball to Mackenzie.
Bonaguidi was right there to pick up and cranked one through the goal mouth.
Players swarmed around the ball at the bowl in, but Mackenzie came away with the ball, threaded his way through the pack, and drove the ball over the goal line.
Not to be denied, Secunda with nice stick work carried the ball down the field and scored as the chukker ended.
Both teams pulled out all the stops in the final chukker.
Kuhio Motors was determined to make a come back, and within a heartbeat of the toss in Secunda scored.
After the bowl in, as both teams bunched around the ball, Kuhio Motors committed a foul.
Krista Hawley took the penalty shot, 30 yards to an undefended goal, and nicely struck the ball between the pylons.
Tournament Polo continues at Anini Field next Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
The public is welcome. Adults $10 per person; 12-18, $5 per person. Club matches are played on Friday at 4 p.m.
