Indio, CA (February 2, 2009) – Given little or no chance at the outset, Julian Mannix’s Hawks polo team is the Eldorado Polo Club’s January 8 goal champion.
Going through the schedule with but one loss (to Trinity) the young birds had a relatively easy semi-final win over Casa Blanca and flew over Rick Paicius’s Trinity in the final by a score of 12 – 10.
The Mannix cast was simply too much for Trinity in this one and never trailed. Taking a handicap award of one at the start, they led by two after one (4 – 2) and went to the half leading 8 – 3. Going into the sixth with a three goal advantage (10 – 7) and increasing it to five was too much and a three goal rally by Paicius and Co. would not be enough. The kids, along with Papa Joe Henderson in control, were the champs.
Henderson led the scoring in the final with five penalty conversions (3 fours), Mannix had three, Patrick Uretz a pair, and Jesse Bray had one. The handicap award completed the total.
For Trinity, Mariano Gutierrez scored seven times (3 fouls), Earnie Ezcurra had two, and Nick Morrison, substituting for an injured Theo Wakefield, potted one.
Although he didn’t play in the final, it must be noted that Chris Kerley, substituting for Mannix, was a big part of the Hawks championship month.
Eldorado 8 Goal Final – January
Hawks (11) – Julian Mannix 1, Joe Henderson 4, Jesse Bray 2, Patrick Uretz, Chris Kerely 1 (sub. for Mannix).
Trinity (12) – Rick Paicius -1, Mariano Gutierrez 5, Earnie Ezcurra 3, Theo Wakefield 1.