Wanna talk treats? On Sunday, July 7th, a ripple of excitement wafted through the crowd of spectators at Anini Polo Field when it was learned that two members of the world famous polo playing Gracida family, Ruben and son Weston,
Wanna talk treats?
On Sunday, July 7th, a ripple of excitement wafted through the crowd of spectators at Anini Polo Field when it was learned that two members of the world famous polo playing Gracida family, Ruben and son Weston, would be playing.
The Gracidas, who were vacationing on Oahu, teamed up with Allen Hoe and Santiago Uriburu of Oahu to challenge the Kauai Polo Club in a four chukker match for the United States Polo Association (USPA) Player’s Cup. To add to the hype, Chris Dawson and Ronnie Tongg came over from Oahu to play for Kaua’i.
It was a fast and furious game, but when the final horn sounded it was Oahu 3, Kaua’i 2.
The air was charged as both 8-goal teams came to the field ready for battle. It was like watching cats on a picket fence as each player analyzed his opponent’s strengths and weaknesses with great caution.
Ron Bonaguidi took control of the ball after the toss in by Bob Nesti, and with a power shot sent the ball over the sideline. Max Secunda cleared the bowl in, but Ruben Gracida snatched the ball from him.
A determined Secunda took it back and tried a run on goal but was foiled by Santiago Uriburu, whose shot sent the ball over the end line.
Secunda’s knock in missile shot almost landed the ball mid-field where it was picked up by Ronnie Tongg and moved to Chris Dawson. He propelled the ball down the field toward the goal line but it was smartly backed by Ruben.
With beautiful riding Secunda swept in, stole the ball, and with a crisp forehand shot put the ball between the pylons to tack up the first score of the afternoon for Kauai.
After Bonaguidi cleared the toss in, the Oahu players took over.
Allen Hoe got off a instigated a drive which was picked up by Ruben. When he sent the ball over the sideline, the ensuing bowl in was cleared by Bonaguidi. But Uriburu was right there to challenge, and the two treated the spectators to a horse race. As they approached the goal mouth, Secunda, very cool under pressure, was able to move in.
But there’s no stopping the steam-rolling Gracidas. With fantastic father-son team work, Weston backed the ball, and Ruben picked up and scored for Oahu. When the horn sounded ending the first chukker it was Oahu 1 and Kauai 1.
As the second chukker got underway the two teams settled down somewhat. After the toss in, Ruben made a run on goal that was blocked by Ronnie Tongg who moved the ball to Dawson. He lost it to Hoe, but Tongg fought Hoe and Ruben for control. Dawson moved right back in, and with inspiring play, scored for Kaua’i.
Not to be outdone, within a heartbeat of the toss in Weston made an eye-popping goal for Oahu.
By now all the butterflies had gone and both teams settled down to play no nonsense, serious polo.
There was another horse race to the goal line by Secunda and Ruben that ended with Dawson’s shot changing the line of play. When Ruben and Hoe moved the ball along, Tongg displayed amazing hooking, took control and moved the ball to Secunda. The situation was tense as the two teams swarmed over the ball at the goal mouth, careful not to foul. Uriburu was successful in capturing the ball and tapping it over the goal line to score for Oahu.
Mike Sheehan replaced Ron Bonaguidi for the third and fourth chukkers.
Both chukkers were scoreless, but were characterized by superb, aggressive offensive and defensive play. Players and mounts were pushed to the max. Spectators were thrilled with the expert horsemanship and stick work demonstrated by players on both sides, not to mention the tough riding off and smooth hooking skills displayed. Everyone held his breath a time or two when players charged the length of the field for a try on goal only to have it blocked at the last moment.
The defenses were spectacular. A truly thrilling game.
When the final horn sounded it was Oahu 3, Kauai 2.
