The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
It was a day of the Palomino as his 14 goals were just one more than the Antelope could do. He was far from alone. Farmers and Merchants stood out with amazing team play throughout the day. Smokin’ Joe stood out as the stopper every time Antelope thought they were gone he said “no, go the other way” and they did. Captain Henry Walker and a very good Young Gun named David Saminego did just that. They sent it to a rocket called the Palomino (Jason Crowder) and it usually ended up on the board. It was a high-scoring finals. There were 28 goals scored and there were 40 plus fouls. The Referees did a good job for the most part. It was just one of those games where they never stopped. It was a bit trashy to go with the speed. They started running from the get go and somehow there was time to foul. The first chukker was the worst as there were 4 goals and 9 fouls in that chukkar. It set the pace. The score was 6 to 5 in the second chukker. F&M was up by one at the 1/2. Antelope’s Patron, Geoff Palmer, kept them in the game with 7 goals and some huge back shots in the goal mouth. He had a long day battling young David, who could have easily been the MVP. Jason poured in 14 goals. The Antelope squad took the lead in the fifth for a minute or two, but F&M came right back and ended the chukkar up by 2 and finished it in the sixth with a big run by Henry Walker, who was suffering from a back injury. He sent the ball to the Palomino on the fly to end the day for the Antelope. F&M was winner of the Lisle Nixon Championship, the first of four 12 goal tournaments in Santa Barbara.
It was a huge team effort. Smokin’ Joe past the 1/2 century mark and he showed just how tough it is to get by him and just how far he can still hit the ball. The only goal Jason Crowder (aka the Palamino) did not score came from about 140 yards away and no need for a tap. Young David, who was subbing for Charlie Walker, was amazing. Much like Young Gun Derrick Berg last week. Neither have played this type of polo before and showed us that if you give them a chance, they will DO IT. Henry Walker was a spin off Pop Kenny as he just never stopped ticking. He pushed and then pushed some more. Jason got MVP and Omar Sanchez had a big hand in Jason also getting best playing Pony as a horse named Crunch took the blanket for BBP.
WELL DONE FARMERS & MERCHANT
DAVID SAMINEGO JASON CROWDER HENRY WALKER JOE HENDERSON
In the Consolation finals it was also a Smokin’ Joe, but his style was speed and accuracy. Joe Stuart was on fire and a little bit faster than the Hawks as he sped through the nest several times and had the flag waving of the goal tender. It was a cleaner game than the first one, but a lot more whining as Grants Farm/Wildcats do have some power. With Big Andy and a bigger Ryan, they are not into being along for the ride. They ride hard and like to go fast, but it took them 6 chukkars to put away Patron Phil Mactaggart and his new team in town, who will win their share.
Welcome to town Phil! He has a class operation from NY or Ireland, not sure but Hawk Hill is the name. It all starts again this Friday afternoon. Come on by it, it will be FUN and a good party after.
see ya