In a very exciting day of polo in the semis here in Santa Barbara it was also a day of surprises. The weather was perfect for polo. It was in the low 70’s and the only cool thing was the weather for the rest was not so cool other than the sticks of Jimmy Choo who have now, 2 years in a row, fell victim to Windsor in the semis. Last year they beat Windsor Capital in the league good but this year they destroyed them in the league and maybe they just never focused, but it was actually in that game or slaughter the last chukker where Windsor actually did win the last chukker with a new lineup in position. So maybe that’s why winless Windsor started going up not down the ladder. Anyway they were here and so was Jimmy Choo and it started out bad as Jimmy Choo raced out to a 3 and 1 lead in chukker 1 and continued to hold a slight lead in chukker #2. Windsor Capital won the chukker to finish down by 1 at 4 to 3. Windsor took the 3rd chukker by 1 and at the 1/2 it was a draw at 4 to 4. It was starting all over at chukker 4 with some great plays by both teams and it finished in a draw. There were some outstanding saves by both teams. The 5th was wild as Windsor jumped on some great opportunities and got a couple of key goals by Juan Jo and another big goal from Sugar Erskine to pull in front. That set the table for a very tough 6th chukker. It was 5 goals in 7 minutes, but Windsor lost the chukker but only by 1 and it was on to the finals for the 2nd year in a row. It was an outstanding game on a tired field, but the weather was good, the play clean and some super shots by the big sticks. Also some great goals by the little sticks and that would be Juan Jo Gonzalez subbing for The Governor (Pat Nesbitt) who has a very sore leg.
The next game was on field 3 without the grass on the boards being cut and it was not clean or friendly as Duende took on Grant’s Farm/Klentner Ranch. True to form, as is the norm, people got hit by errant mallets of Duende. Three I know and maybe Justin Klentner got hit as well if he didn’t it was only luck. Mariano Gonzalez was cut on arm, Jeff Blake on the back of the neck, and Andy Busch on the hand and arm and guess what not a whistle as all were mistakes as most have been this year. Amazing isn’t it! Invisible sticks I guess never seen by the stripes. Oh well. Grant’s Farm/Klentner had the game under control through the third chukker and seemed in the first two chukkers they were on their way. A weak 3rd let Duende in and a constant man approach by Big Mike Hakan and Carlos started to work and even after hitting players, Duende continued to win many fouls and convert them and they won the 4th and 5th chukkers, but lost the 6th by 1 and it sets the table for a repeat of last years final. As Duende and Windsor Capital move on to the finals. It should be a good one and it may not be a pretty one. so be there. The consolation finals will be a fast and fair game I am sure as Jimmy Choo will be out quick and speeding forward and Grant’s Farm /Klentner will also have a fly under their bonnet as well. It all happens this Sunday afternoon.
Down South in San Diego there will also be 2 big finals for the USPA Rossmore Cup. In the 10-goal league its Madison/Tritech taking on Figi/Keys (Hidden Gypsy) which may be Keyless if Sir Sean is not a Daddy yet and he is running out of time. I will let you know about the 4-goal later on Saturday as there is one more round to go. See ya.