ANINI—Halaulani All-Stars edged past Island Screen Specialist 5-4, and Hanalei Bay battled Budweiser to a 6-6 deadlock to provide spectators with a great afternoon of polo as the Kaua`i Open polo tournament entered its second round match at the Anini
ANINI—Halaulani All-Stars edged past Island Screen Specialist 5-4, and Hanalei
Bay battled Budweiser to a 6-6 deadlock to provide spectators with a great
afternoon of polo as the Kaua`i Open polo tournament entered its second round
match at the Anini Polo Fields. The tournament continues this weekend with
Circle Z entering the fray.
With the goal in sight in the first chukker,
Kamalu Sheldon made a long run down the field at full gallop, but overshot the
ball with John Elwin moving in to score the goal for the All-Stars that was
answered by a Hal Hargrave power shot that slammed the ball between the goal
posts as the spectators erupted in cheer. That Hargrave power shot for Island
Screen Specialist deadlocked the contest, but Elwin pulled Halaulani ahead with
a score just before the bell.
Michelle Linstedt replaced Peter Cameron in
the scoreless second chukker that saw a pair of penalties assessed against the
All-Stars and one against Island Screen Specialist with neither side being able
to capitalize.
Derrick Naauao replaced Hargrave in the third chukker that
saw Elwin erupt for two goals for Halaulani. Naauao answered by scoring one
for Island Screen Specialist, with Sheldon knocking one through the posts after
several attempts for the All-Stars.
Naauao opened the fourth chukker with a
goal shortly after bowl in, and a penalty at the goalmouth against Halaulani
was taken by Naauao who tapped the ball over the goal line for the final 5-4
reading in the Halaulani victory.
The entrance of the teams for the Kaua`i
Open match was unusually colorful as a pair of Tahitian dancers heralded the
arrival of the Hanalei Bay team who entered the arena on foot. The team
remained on the field as the dancers performed along with a fire dancer that
captivated the audience.
That was followed by the thunder of about 20
motorcycles with a police cruiser escort that through the Budweiser team onto
the field with a finale that had the motorcycles revving up in a thunderous
roar.
The opening set the stage for the action that followed as the first
chukker got underway in fast forward mode with a penalty shot against Hanalei
Bay taken by Herman Louis DeCoite, scoring with a powerful clean
shot.
Following missed penalty shots by Herman Louis and Kimo
Huddleston, Hal Hargrave broke the goal barrier by weaving through traffic to
score to Hanalei Bay.
In an attempt to change the line of play, Herman
Louis hit a back shot that had goal written all over it, but Huddleston whacked
it with such power, the ball shot off the field across the tailgaters’ tables,
breaking glasses before finally landing in the rear of an open van in the
parking lot.
Huddleston eventually scored for Hanalei Bay with an easy shot
just before chukker’s end.
Defensive play with serious riding and hooking
dominated the second chukker that saw the only score coming for Hanalei Bay by
Ryan Tongg.
A highlight of the excellent defensive skills was shown when
Herman Louis took a penalty shot for Budweiser, lobbing it high in the air
towards the goal, but Huddleston extending his mallet high to knock the ball
down.
Another penalty shot against Hanalei Bay was taken by Herman Louis
who got off one of his long shots only to have Huddleston intercept it midair,
but in a heartbeat, Ka`aina DeCoite had control of the ball to go the entire
length of the field to score for Budweiser in the third chukker.
Tongg took
control of the remaining few minutes of the chukker to score for Hanalei
Bay.
Action peaked in the final chukker as fans gasped at the near
collisions and rough riding that dominated the period with both team’s riders
playing at their highest levels.
The match ended with a Herman Louis
charging the field at full gallop, scoring for Budweiser to tie the match
6-6.
Budweiser had entered the match with a 3 handicap.
The Kaua`i Open
polo tournament continues next Sunday with a Club Polo match scheduled for 1:30
p.m. and the finals of the Kaua`i Open tournament getting underway at 3:00
p.m.
Matches are open to the public with admission at $5.00 per
person.
Teams
Hanalei Bay: Hal Hargrave, Ryan Tongg, Kimo Huddleston,
Knox Weymouth.
Budweiser: Greg Smith, Derrick Naauao, Ka`aina DeCoite,
Herman Louis DeCoite.
Umpires: Mike Conant, Kim Kelly. Referee: Mike
Sheehan.
Halaulani All-Stars: Julian Chapa, John Elwin, Kamalu
Sheldon.
Island Screen Specialist: Celia Goodman, Hal Hargrave, Peter
Cameron, Michelle Linstedt, Derrick Naauao.
Umpire: Greg Smith.
