Smithfield Farm(5/0) 7 Buena Vista (3/2) 6
It took all six chukkers for Smithfield to edge by Buena Vista. Don Langlois’s foursome took a one goal handicap and pumped in two to take an early 3-1 lead. Buena Vista’s team was shuffled a bit to include Henry Zavaleta and Alex Markle, along with Don and Mr. P. Alex Markle was playing in his first outdoor tournament game ever and he did very well. Alex is replacing Amy Wisehart who broke her collarbone, who was replacing Woody Keesee, who broke his arm. Sometimes there is bad luck and other times there is no luck at all!!
Mr. P scored an open goal penalty to contribute to his team’s valiant effort. The evening news highlight goals were two beautiful shots by Smithfield’s Adam Klopp which were the go ahead goals both times. Adam and Julio had 3 goals apiece and John slapped in one, even though John barely has a wrist to be holding a mallet following a tendon strain a week ago.
So then Smithfield Farm advanced to meet Hawk Hill for an overtime playoff that should have happened in the first week of play between these two talented squads. Who would have ever thunk that these two teams would go all the way through the league with flawless records. Remember that in the 8 goal, these two squads were combined and possess bragging rights for the June 8 goal league. This time, no more Smithfield/Hawk Hill. This time it was either Smithfield Farm or Hawk Hill.
So we gave Hawk Hill a chance to warm up some as the rain started to slowly move-in. It was decided at the start of the sudden death chukker that in the event that there was no goal in chukker 7, we would have a shoot-out. However, with two explosive teams that pretty much were able to score at will against all the other opponents, the sudden death goal would surely come quickly. Surely not…they both had opportunities but at the ending buzzer, teams tied. So shoot-out time.
The players went in order and Smithfield first, number ones first,etc.
So first to go..Smithfield’s Jake Klopp. His shot is a near miss to the left. 0/0
Next, Hawk Hill’s Philip Mactaggart..he scores 0/1
Next Smithfield’s Adam Klopp….score 1/1
Next…Hawk Hill’s Tracy Mactaggart….score 1/2
Next..Smithfields’s Julio Ezcurra..probably the mvp of the last month…he misses right 1/2
Next…Hawk Hill’s Maxi Minnini 1/3..game and championship goes to Hawk Hill
So Hawk Hill (Maxi Minini, Ernie Ezcurra, Tracy Mactaggart, and Philip Mactaggart) are the June 6 goal league champions at Mashomack! Congrats !!
Heathcote Farm (3/3) 7 Supersize (3/3) 6
The next game was a friendly one for 3rd place, I think……between Supersize and Heathcote Farm. The conditions were very british with a steady light rain on this very soggy independence day. Wasn’t it exactly this kind of weather, as well as some excessive taxation that spurred on the revolution in the first place? Supersize came of the blocks quickly and ended chukker one with a 3-0 score. Heathcote Farm was very much missing their back door, Oakleigh Thorne, who was at home recovering from a “not being one with your horse” experience from the previous day’s illegal stick and ball session.
I remember talking to Oakleigh just a couple of weeks back who announced that he has never gone off a horse yet. Well, with two falls in a week, he can cross falling from a horse off his list of nevers. So Supersize downsized Tatin and company in the first, but Heathcote recovered and slowly chiseled their way back into position for the break-out. Tatin scored 2 goals in each of the remaining 3 chukkers and teammate Parker Thorne also had two beautiful goals to help seal the victory for Heathcote.
With the continuing rain, club chukkers scheduled for 2pm were canceled.
Polo This weekend
Polo resumes friday with 12 goal practice games, please sign up teams with me. We start the July 6 goal league this saturday and Sunday will be 12 goal match games as teams begin warm-up for Eddie Moore