Sabella’s at Princeville engaged Island Hardware in a lively four-chukker match that was more lively than anticipated at Anini Polo Field last Sunday and came away with a 7-4 victory. Terry Caplan’s Island Hardware team showed up in their new
Sabella’s at Princeville engaged Island Hardware in a lively four-chukker match that was more lively than anticipated at Anini Polo Field last Sunday and came away with a 7-4 victory. Terry Caplan’s Island Hardware team showed up in their new red microfiber jerseys which have been such a hit with Argentine polo players the last few seasons. Polo fans were delighted to have Max Secunda back on the field after recovering from a knee injury. Hank Jacinto was unable to play owing to an injury, but was replaced by long time polo favorite Carlos Elzaurdia.
The “Velvet Voice” of Kaua‘i Polo, Inger Pa, was not able to announce; but Kim Kelly, who was a crowd favorite when she played polo here a few years back, and was vacationing on Kaua‘i, stepped up to take over the announcing duties.
The first chukker got off to a flying start with a flurry of play. Although Elzaurdia cleared the toss in the ball went back and forth rapidly between the two teams until Ronnie Tongg extricated it and left the crowd breathless as he expertly made the first score of the afternoon. For the next few minutes an aggressive Secunda dueled with Tongg for ball possession. Finally Tongg took control and headed for goal. When everyone went over the ball, he smoothly maneuvered through the traffic to score again.
About four minutes into the second period John Elwin energized the spectators with some fancy play. When Secunda sent the ball to him he fired off a pop fly to Elzaurdia. That shot was picked up by Tongg. However, a determined Elwin, displaying excellent stick work, stole the ball and put Island Hardware on the scoreboard. Within a heart beat Tongg retaliated with a goal. In a burst of activity around the ball, Elzaurdia and his horse went down. After a few minutes Elzaurdia was on his feet and able to finish the remaining minute of the chukker. During half time Kim Kelly left her post as announcer, donned polo gear, and replaced Elzaurdia in the Island Hardware lineup. Richard Swift, Kaua‘i Polo Club’s webmaster and audio specialist, manned the announcers post until Barbie Dunnill, who was a groom and played polo with the club for a number of years, offered to take over the announcer’s duties. Sponsor Robin Savage tossed in the ball to open the third chukker. Scott Sims, on his trusty Arabian, cleared the ball and held on to it all the way to the goal line to tally a score for Sabella’s. Despite repeated valiant efforts by Island Hardware to score, Sabella’s remarkable defense shut them out. Displaying superb teamwork, Tongg and Peter Cameron wove through the pack with the ball; and Cameron punched the ball between the pylons. Just before the horn Tongg punched one through himself.
Tongg got the final chukker off to a good start with a dramatic goal for Sabella’s. The remainder of the period was dominated by Island Hardware. Kelly blended in well and gave enormous support to her team mates. Elwin played double tough, finally getting control of the ball and cracking a shot between the goal posts. Next Secunda, riding like a one man cavalry charge, sent the ball from mid-field over the goal line. Secunda followed up by clearing the toss in and taking off coast-to-coast to tally the last goal of the afternoon. When the final horn sounded, after a somewhat hectic afternoon, it was Sabella’s at Princeville 7, Island Hardware 4. Teams: Sabella’s: Scott Sims, Peter Cameron, Ronnie Tongg. Island Hardware: John Elwin, Carlos Elzaurdia, Kim Kelly, Max Secunda. Umpire: Kamalu Sheldon. Polo continues at Anini Field next Sunday at 3:00 p.m. The public is welcome. Adults $10.00 per person; 12-18, $5.00 per person. Club matches are played on Fridays at 4:00 p.m.
