By Alex Webbe
The Casa Hermosa team of Tom Blake (2), Brad Blake (5) and Tommy Biddle (10) beat the Palm Beach Polo trio of Peter Von Gontard (2), Carlos Galindo (6) and Mike Azzaro (9) by the score of 8-5 in front of a gathering of hundreds of local polo enthusiasts and first-time spectators.
Playing under the lights of the arena the Palm Beach Polo and Hunt Club, some of the fastest polo seen in decades took place as spectators cheered every goal.
“I love playing in the arena,” said 9-goaler Mike Azzaro. “Stickwork and strategy is at a premium ,” he added.
Playing on teams that were quickly organized to produce competition in the club’s weekly Friday Night Polo schedule, the players did their best without the benefit of a practice together, and the audience was thrilled.
Biddle scored the first goal of the game to give Casa Hermosa the early lead, but Palm Beach Polo’s Peter Von Gontard responded with a tying goal just moments later. Biddle scored the final goal of the period, and Casa Hermosa left the arena with an early 2-1 lead.
Von Gontard tied it up in the second with the opening goal, but an energized Casa Hermosa team responded with prejudice. Tom Blake scored to put Casa Hermosa back in the lead with his first goal of the game followed by two goals from his brother Brad Blake. The first half ended with Casa Hermosa holding a 5-2 advantage.
Another goal from Tom Blake opened the second half, giving Casa Hermosa a 6-2 edge, while long droves from Biddle and Azzaro just missed hitting their targets, and the pace in the arena continued to pick up speed.
Azzaro got on track, scoring two goals along the way, and just missing on a number of others. Biddle maintained his stature as arena polo only active 10-goal player as he directed the play of his teammates and made goal saving clearing shots in defense. At the end of the third chukker Palm Beach Polo had cut the Casa Hermosa lead to two goals, 6-4.
Biddle connected on an open-goal penalty shot in the fourth chukker and added another goal to give Casa Hermosa a commanding 8-4 led with time running short for Palm Beach Polo. Von Gontard’s third goal of the game was the last hurrah for Azzaro and company in the 8-5 Casa Hermosa win.
“We’re real excited about the arena polo program that is developing at the club,” said Biddle, “and the excitement that is produced in the arena every Friday night attracts more and more people week after week.”
PORT MAYACA 9, PALM BEACH POLO WOMEN 4
In earlier action the women charged into the arena as the Port Mayaca team of Mili Galindo, Lauren Biddle and Connell Erb beat up on the Palm Beach Polo ladies team of Tara Lordi, Jennifer Williams, Aimee Waters and Scarlet Davenport in a 9-5 contest.
The Palm Beach Polo team looked to be running off with the game in the opening chukker as they scored the first four goals of the match. Three consecutive goals from Tara Lordi got the match started, followed by a penalty goal from Jennifer Williams. Lauren Biddle kept Port Mayaca from being shut out, with a goal, but they left the arena after the period trailing 4-1.
Lordi’s fourth goal of the match opened the second chukker, but that was when Port Mayaca took over. Three straight goals from Connell Erb closed out the period and after two chukkers of play, Palm Beach Polo held a narrow 5-4 lead.
Erb opened the second half with a penalty goal for Port Mayaca to tie the match at 5-5. A pair of goals from Biddle gave them the lead as the Port Mayaca defense held Palm Beach Polo scoreless. At the end of the third, Port Mayaca was on the winning end of a 7-5 score.
The Port Mayaca defense continued to hold as Biddle and Erb added closing goals in the 9-5 win.
I hadn’t played such fast polo before,” admitted Palm Beach Polo’s Aimee Waters, “but it was great. Can’t wait for the next time,” she smiled.
“I really believe that the arena game is a great way to showcase the game of polo,” said tommy Biddle following the match. “Because of the reduced area of play (1/9th the size of a field) spectators get a closer look at the horses and players,” he said. “I’m really excited to be a part of the program at the Palm Beach Polo and Hunt Club.”
The Friday night matches are scheduled to be played right through the winter season with a spring and summer schedule in the making.