Indio, CA (March 2, 2009) – If anyone thought that Julian Mannix’s Hawk polo team’s victory in the January 8 goal was a fluke, they were thinking differently after the young birds defeated Ronai White’s Casa Blanca foursome in the February final by a score of 12 – 9.
In a very entertaining game, Mannix and Co. took an award of two at the start and jumped out to a lead of four very quickly with two spectacular runs by the Hawk himself. Casa Blanca recovered and narrowed the lead to three (5 – 2) going to the second.
The second and third was pretty much all Casa Blanca as the young cast stopped flying and with Carlos Galindo lighting a fire under his group the count was 5 – 5 at the half.
No one knows what went on during the break, but ‘Papa’ Joe Henderson was able to fix the broken wings and the Hawks were flying again in the fourth as Jesse Bray scored twice and Henderson once to but one penalty conversion by Galindo.
Trading two goals apiece in the fifth saw a 10 – 8 game with one to go.
A pair from Bray in the final stanza to just one from Galindo gave the victory to the Hawks and they became the only repeat winner in this 2009 Eldorado season. It is worth noting that the win by the youngsters gave Patrick Uretz his third league championship this year.
Hebderson was high scorer in this final with four goals (1 foul), as Bray and Mannix supplied three each. The award of two completed the total.
For Casa Blanca, Galindo had three (2 fouls), as did young Steven Paulson in his very strong substitute role for White. Henry Walker scored twice and Nicolai Galindo had one.
As was the case in January, Chris Kerley along with Ted Oakie, should be recognized for their efforts when Mannix was unable to play.
February 8 Goal Championship – Eldorado Polo Club
Hawks (7) – Julian Mannix 1, Joe Henderson 4, Jesse Bray 2, PatrickUretz, Chris Kerley/Ted Oakie 1 (sub for Mannix).
Casa Blanca (8) – Ronai White -1, Carlos Galindo 4, Henry Walker 2, Nicolai Galindo 3, Steven Paulson (sub for White).
Tony Gregg