The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
After an awesome day for polo the teams are narrowed down to the final four. The other four look for next year and they will be no more. Audi, Valiente, Piocho and Mansour are playing in the semis of the subsidiary, which it is still better than going home alone.
It was a perfect day for polo and the temperature was about 70 to 75 degrees with absolutely clear skies. Lady’s Like Amber and Elisabeth were roaming among the beautiful horses and amazing crowds. It is funny in some ways and shows star power in others. On field 1 today at 10 am, a game that might draw 50 people on a normal Sunday had 400 people. There was no where to park and this game meant absolutely nothing to the participants on field 3. The game was for the future of this tournament to determine which team goes through and which team does not. On field one it was Lucchese with Adolfo Cambiaso playing … sort of … vs. Audi and it was no more than a practice. On field 3 it was Grant’s Farm vs. Mansour in a sudden death to get to the semis. There may have been 50 people or so who just wanted to see him play, Cambiaso that is, and he did well blowing out Audi. Over on 3 it was a very sore Andy Busch and Grant’s Farm doing what they do best, taking the man and releasing the ball. Jeff Blake and his team rolled all over them and won by several.
In the 1 p.m. it was ERG escaping to win it all as they handled Valentie and sent them to the semis of the consolation. There were some great plays in this game. It was not over until it was over as Scott Woods and Bob J. made some huge plays for their teams throughout the game. It was Scott’s turn to do it and they return to the semis where they face Mr. Blake, Mr. Busch and a bit of Sugar. This should be a thriller and I am sure it will be at 12 noon Thursday.
The 3 pm match was a good game, but everyone knew the winner was looking at a meeting with Lucchese Thursday morning. At 3 p.m.Piocho jumped out early and took the lead, expanded in the 2nd and the the Lion began to roar as the third chukkar rolled around. The 3 goal lead evaporated, but the boys in White came alive and scored 5 to take the lead and then lose by one, which was the only number that would send them through with a loss and on to the semi finals to meet with MR. Lucchese. It was an awesome day for polo and the cream has risen as the final 4 look to have their hands full. The 12 noon will be a thriller as defending Champs Grant’s farm take on runners up ERG a year ago. The 10 am could be fun or it could be a long day as the big thing about the sport of Polo it is never over until the fat lady sings, a sick horse or player, a bad day for all or whatever. It should be fun as the 2 big sticks on each team Hilarrio and Adolfo were winners of the 2010 U.S. Open finals. Now they face each other to get to the finals. So come on up and meet the players. We will run a miniature bio on them soon.
See ya Thursday