The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
Hanalei in the Rancho Valencia Finals
Hanalei is the 2009 Rancho Valencia finals winners. The boys in white were way too much for the Tri Tech squad today. The speed of Fas-etta (Mariano Fassetta) and the power of the Palomino (Jason Crowder) blew apart Tri Tech, who took an early lead, but got supersized from the second chukkar on with the speed and game of Hanaeli Bay. In the end, it was the combo with Fast-etta and the Palomino returning to form, but they had a lot of help as “Bones” ( the Patron Ron Bonaguidi) took a huge fall on Friday and came up with a very sore body and a very swollen Mallet hand. He turned the reins over to young Megan Scanlon, who played very, very well. Just ask Silent Chris Maloney as he got to know her well on the field.
It was a good, fast solid game on a very nice day. For me, the Big Stick out their was young Nick ” the Stick ” Morrision, who was awesome at stopping drive after drive with great ride-offs and smashing back shots. It was a smooth 74 degrees, a big crowd and quite a party. Lookout because the real show starts this Thursday afternoon and it has a very big and famous old name: ”THE SPRECKLES CUP.” THIS is the big one for the season and there are 9 or 10 teams in it.
The low goal portion of the Rancho Valencia Tournament saw the return of Dudley and Ronai White as Casa Blanca held off Jofie (Joseph Stuart) and Tracee B. to win the 2009 RV CUP in the low goal.
Mark your calendar for the next two weeks it’s going to be a good time down by the sea in San Diego.
See ya there.