Rancho Santa Fe, CA (August 24, 2009) – It has been mentioned previously that you cannot stop Mariano Fassetta, you can only contain him, and that was once again very apparent on Sunday at the San Diego Polo Club as Fassetta led Ron and Krista Bonaguidi’s Hanalei Bay to victory in the USPA Rossmore Cup.
Having to give Kelly Maloney and Joy Bancroft’s Ohana/Star Meadow a goal at the start, Fassetta, with help from Matias Obregon, quickly got even and then led by one after one and took a lead of one into the half-time break (6 – 5).
A strong effort by Graham Bray and Danny Juarez in the fourth and fifth stanzas allowed Maloney and Company to go to the final period tied at seven. However, Fassetta took over in the final frame -engineering four unanswered markers – and the surfers went on to win by a final score of 11 – 7.
Fassetta scored seven goals in the win while Obregon added four.
For the runners-up, Bray had three, Juarez a pair, and Maloney converted an open goal opportunity. The handicap award of one completed the count.
Krista Bonaguidi’s mare Celine was chosen as best playing pony.
USPA Rossmore Cup – San Diego Polo Club
Hanalei Bay (9) – Ron Bonaguidi, Krista Bonaguidi -1, Mariano Fassetta 6, Matias Obregon 4.
Ohana/Star Meadow (8) – Kelly Maloney, Graham Bray 5, Danny Juarez 4, Rosanna Elordi -1 (sub.for Joy Bancroft -1).
Tony Gregg