Amid all the great Fourth of July celebrations around the island last Sunday, polo enthusiasts were able to sandwich in a well-played match at Anini Polo Field as Coldwell Banker/Bali Hai Realty defeated Global Mortgage Group 6-1. Although Bali Hai
Amid all the great Fourth of July celebrations around the island last Sunday, polo enthusiasts were able to sandwich in a well-played match at Anini Polo Field as Coldwell Banker/Bali Hai Realty defeated Global Mortgage Group 6-1. Although Bali Hai went into the match with a 2 goal handicap, it was their stubborn defense with sticky man-to-man coverage that neutralized the efforts of Max Secunda and Hank Jacinto and enabled them to stretch the margin of victory to 5 goals.
The first chukker was hardly underway when Global Mortgage, displaying some excellent team work, got the ball to John Elwin who split the pylons with a neat offside forehand shot. For the next several minutes Global Mortgage dominated play, with Secunda playing aggressively and moving the ball toward goal with slick stick work. But a bad bounce enabled Bali Hai to snooker the ball away, and with a coordinated effort Ron Bonaguidi was able to send the ball sailing over the goal line. Bali Hai now led 3-1.
In the second period the Bali Hai defensive strategy began to manifest itself, and the two teams moved up and down the field with hard charging, hooking, riding off, and some backhand shots which brought cheers from the spectators. The only score came on a penalty shot. A penalty 3 was called on Global Mortgage, and Bonaguidi converted on a free hit from 40 yards to an undefended goal.
The tantalizing team work by both teams continued into the third period. As play moved up and down the field with exchanges of ball control the offensive and defensive play was impressive. But the defensive strategy of Bali Hai kept Secunda and Jacinto from getting good shots on goal. The only score occurred when a penalty 2 was called on Global Mortgage. Krista Hawley took the free hit from 30 yards to an undefended goal, slowly approaching the ball, and delicately striking the ball across the goal line for the score. The final chukker saw Secunda cranking up the tempo striving to pull his team into contention.
He had the spectators cheering at his powerful offside forehand shots, expert stick work to gain control of the ball, and taking it coast to coast with a goal in mind only to lose it to Tongg at the last minute.
Seconds before the end of the match Bonaguidi maneuvered the ball through a sea of mallets and legs to score the last goal of the match.
When the final horn sounded the score was Coldwell Banker/Bali Hai Realty 6, Global Mortgage 1.
Teams: Coldwell Banker/Bali Hai Realty: Krista Hawley, Ron Bonaguidi, Ronnie Tongg, Scott Sims.
Global Mortgage Group: Peter Cameron, John Elwin, Max Secunda, Hank Jacinto. Umpire: Kamalu Sheldon.
Polo continues at Anini Field next Sunday at 3:00 p.m. The public are welcome. Adults $10. per person; 12-18, $5. per person. Club matches are played on Fridays at 4:00 p.m.
