y JACK LAYTONSpecial to The Garden Island ANINI-Polo enthusiasts were treated to some spectacular action as Bubba Burgers nudged Smith Chiropractic 6-5 to win the United States Polo Association (USPA) Governor’s Cup 2000 at the Anini Polo Fields last Sunday.
y JACK LAYTONSpecial to The Garden Island
ANINI-Polo enthusiasts were treated to some spectacular action as Bubba Burgers
nudged Smith Chiropractic 6-5 to win the United States Polo Association (USPA)
Governor’s Cup 2000 at the Anini Polo Fields last Sunday.
Derrick Naauao of
Maui and Ronnie Tongg, a powerhouse player from O`ahu were riding for the Bubba
team with Herman Louis DeCoite filling a slot on the Smith squad.
Bubbas
opened the first chukker on a furious charge to the goal that was twarted as
Herman Louis changed the line of play with a long drive that resulted in a
defensive skirmish as both teams jockeyed for control.
A penalty shot by
Herman Louis for Smith was picked up by Kamalu Sheldon who came to a
hair-breadth of a goal, but went over the end line.
Naauao took the knock
in for Bubbas and sent the ball to Tongg who lost it to Sheldon, but Naauao
maneuvered in for the Bubba score.
Tongg followed the play with another
drive downfield to score on a neck shot, one of the most difficult polo
maneuvers.
Tongg announced the second chukker with his presence all over
the field with Kim Kelly picking up on one play to score for Bubbas.
Smith
attempted a comeback, but was bogged in defensive exchanges that had Herman
Louis exhibiting some incredible stick work against stiff opposition, and the
father/son combination of Herman Louis and Ka`aina DeCoite go into fast forward
mode.
Herman Louis opened the third chukker on a powerful knock in only to
have Tongg neatly picking it off for a Bubbas’ score.
Kim Kelly took the
bowl in, and clearing the pack, picked up another quick goal for
Bubbas.
Greg Smith picked up the Herman Louis possession of the knock in,
but the goal attempt was blocked by Tongg who changed the line of play with a
back shot.
Smith finally got onto the scoreboard on a Ka`aina DeCoite
penalty shot.
Ka`aina DeCoite continued to lead Smith as he took command of
a bowl in from the sideline for another score as the chukker ended 5-4 in favor
of Bubbas.
The final chukker was dominated by hard riding as Bubbas fought
to maintain their advantage while Smith made an effort to comeback. Tongg broke
the deadlock with a long drive off a penalty shot for the final Bubba
score.
Sheldon came up with a Smith score late in the chukker, but the
effort was not enough as the bell rang with Bubba taking the cup
6-5.
Summer Joy, a member of the winning group’s presentation at the Kaua`i
Polo Club Tail Gate Contest, was given the honor of presenting each combatant
with a silver mug inscribed with “Governor’s Cup 2000.”
Peter
Cameron served as the voice of Kaua`i Polo.
High goal polo returns to Anini
Field on Sunday at 3 p.m. for a single game as Circle Z takes on Smith
Chiropractic.
The public is welcome with admission at $5 per
person.
Teams: Bubba Burgers: Celia Goodman, Kim Kelly, Ronnie Tongg,
Derrick Naauau. Smith Chiropractic: Greg Smith, Kamalu Sheldon, Herman Louis
DeCoite, Ka`aina DeCoite. Umpires: Mike Longley, Carlos Elzaurdia.
