With the large crowd on hand at the Temecula Valley Polo Club on June 15th to benefit the Humanity of Justice Foundation, in a very successful fundraiser, it seemed appropriate that the Humanity of Justice Polo Team (Geraldine Strunsky, Kate Ewart, Cary Burch, and Alvaro Tadeo) ultimately won a very entertaining match over the Temecula Valley Polo Team – although it didn’t always appear that would be the result.
From the opening throw-in, Temecula Valley ( Scott Walker, Mike Manno, Hayward Pardue, and Manny Rodriquez) carried the momentum and left the first chukker with a lead of 1 – 0 courtesy a well placed stroke by Walker.
The always aggressive Burch got HOJF back into it in the second with a nice run on a set-up from Manno and it was even at the half at one each.
The third imitated the first as Temecula carried the momentum once again and once again Walker scored – an open goal conversion from 30 yards – to lead again at 2 – 1. With all the strength in favor of Temecula Valley, it seemed as if it should be their victory to take but goals were not forthcoming, as HOJ were able to stop the aggression – but unable to mount any sort of offence. As a result, the third ended with the home team leading by that one goal.
The fourth featured a complete turnaround by the Humanity of Justice Foundation as they absolutely dominated every aspect of the game. Tadeo, silent until now, played the game he is known for – pinpoint passing to set up scoring opportunities and Burch (with a pair) and Ewart scored goals (along with one from Tadeo himself) to take the win for HOJF by a count of 5 – 2.
On a perfect Saturday at the Temecula Valley Polo Club, the Humanity of Justice Foundation was a double winner – on the polo field and the beneficiary of a very successful fundraiser.
Tony Gregg