What started out as a weatheriffy day for polo ended beautiful resulting in a terrific game with the Savage Pearls team beating Icing, 7-5. It wasn’t all that easy with the game tied 4-4 at the end of the third
What started out as a weatheriffy day for polo ended beautiful resulting in a terrific game with the Savage Pearls team beating Icing, 7-5. It wasn’t all that easy with the game tied 4-4 at the end of the third chukker.
Carol Gerow of Savage Pearls tossed in the ball for the first chukker. Rustan Tongg, playing for Icing, took control at the makai end of the field and in a scramble of defending sticks sent the ball sailing to team member David Speer. Ricardo Villegas pushed through the crowd stealing the ball and with a long rush to the mauka pylons, made the first score in the first minute of the chukker for Savage Pearls.
The ball was tossed in by Umpire Stuart Mackenzie followed almost immediately by a whistle blown for a #3 penalty against Icing. Ricardo shot an undefended goal from 40 yards out and scored with a pylon high shot, to the pleasure of the guests along the sidelines.
With the ball tossed in again at mid-field, one-on-one defensive play got quite furious. Ronnie Tongg playing for Savage Pearls, passed to teammate Krista Hawley. Every member of Icing was determined to take over again and Rustan Tongg moved in with mallet flying. Ronnie charged in again but son Rustan rode him off. The players were all over the makai end of the field, trying to gain control. Ronnie took the ball and shot long and fast, scoring the last goal of the first chukker, putting Icing ahead 3-0.
Bill Marston, Tahiti Nui sponsor, tossed in the ball for chukker #2. Icing scored first with Rustan Tongg taking a penalty shot from 30 yards out. This chukker gave the crowd an exciting battle, with everyone getting a hit. Scott Sims of Icing came in to relieve David Speer. He passed to Ryan Tongg who took a long shot for a score. Play continues with tight packs of riders fighting for the ball resulting in another #5 penalty shot, against Icing. Ronnie Tongg, shooting from the point of the infraction scored with a high ball above the pylons for Savage Pearls. Another foul just before the end of the chukker and Ryan Tongg scored for Icing and at half time it is 4-3 Savage Pearls.
With a halftime rest for players, the crowd was entertained by Daryl Gonsalves with beautiful island music. And, with the smell of Pedro’s Texas BBQ wafting over the field, it was a great day in paradise.
Andrea Quinn of Icing on the Cake tossed in the ball for the 3rd chukker and in almost no time at all, Ryan sent it flying into a pylon but fortunately for Icing, it bounced through bringing the score to a 4-4 tie. This was the only score in chukker #3 which was a great test of horses and riders in their defensive struggle.
For the last chukker, Carol Gerow tossed the ball into the tangle of players and the battle continued. With a tied score and only seven minutes left the tension rose. Ronnie Tongg made a hard run, all alone and scored making this a 5-4 lead for Savage Pearls. Although Icing played well, Ronnie was not to be outrun and scored again for a 6-4 Savage Pearls lead.
With just 3 minutes left, Ryan got hold of the ball and shot high from middle field, clearing the pylons and bringing the game within one shot of a 5-6 tie.
Ricardo, wanting a bigger edge flew into the melee, took the ball down field, set it up for a clean shot, and scored with ease. Final score 7-5 Savage Pearls.
Team members for Icing on the Cake were Scott Sims, David Speer, Rustan Tongg and Ryan Tongg. Krista Hawley, Ricardo Villegas and Ronnie Tongg played for Savage Pearls.
