Jana Mailow and Linda Gallagher and Hal Hargrave combined to overcome the Kaua’i boys’ Kamalu Sheldon, John Elwin and Peter Cameron in a fast and hard-hitting game last Sunday that ended in Bali Hai’s favor, 9-5.
Kaua’i was forced into a defensive position in the first chukker and Peter Cameron missed a chance to score on a penalty shot. Hargrave moved in and pulled off a hat trick, one score right after another setting the challenge 3-0 at the end of one chukker.
The second chukker started with Cameron’s full field, four-shot run to score for Bali Hai. On the next run back Elwin and Sheldon took turns controlling the ball, ending in a scramble at the goal line, with Sheldon making the score for Kaua’i. Hargrave followed the ensuing traffic and snuck in for another easy shot for Bali Hai.
Later, on a knock-in, Sheldon picked up the pace, sending the ball right to the goal for his second score of the day. Later, Gallagher took control right in front of the goal post and scored with a neck shot. As Kaua’i came downfield to try to score, Mailow saved with a difficult neck shot of her own. A penalty was called against Camerson in the melee which followed. Hargrave had a chance at a free shot, but missed. At the end of Chukker two, Bali Hai led 5-4.
At half time, and the crowd enjoyed the ritual of walking the field to stomp the divots kicked up in a fast first half.
In chukker three, a knock in by Elwin was answered with a quick score by Hargrave. Then, he reclaimed the ball and slammed it toward the pylons, but just a little wide. This gave Cameron a chance to pass the ball off to Elwin, who, though guarded tightly by Hargrave, was able to pass off to Sheldon, who passed back to Elwin for a not-so-easy score.
At the bowl in, Hargrave pushed into the crowd, and picked up the ball with a great backshot, but John dogged him and took the ball away for a long run to the goal for his second score at the 30-second bell, ending chukker three at 6-5.
Chukker four brought in a rejuvenated Kaua’i team with hopes of turning around the lead, but it was Hargrave and the gals all the way. Hargrave, backing up Mailow’s capture of the ball, ran for the pylons and another score for Bali Hai. At the mid-field bowl-in, all players were scurrying around, trying to take control. Camerson and Sheldon broke free, passing the ball safely together and heading down field. They were caught off guard when Sheldon’s high hit was returned by Digger, mid-air. The trade-offs ended in a penalty shot, giving Digger an easy score to add insult to injury.
In the final scuffle of the day, passes from Elwin to Cameron to Sheldon ended in another penalty. Gallagher scored with the penalty shot to end the game.
