Rancho Santa Fe, CA (August 17, 2009) – The first Sunday back after a three week break was San Diego’s Fine Homes and Living Magazine’s afternoon at the San Diego Polo Club and all those in attendance witnessed a very good polo game.
The tone for the first game of the USPA Rossmore Cup was set early as 11 year old Madison Simpson got everyone on their feet with an absolutely super rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and the entire crowd stayed in it through to the final whistle.
The match-up featured Ron and Krista Bonaguidi’s Hanalei Bay against Kelly Maloney and Joy Bancroft’s Ohana/Star Meadow (playing as Fine Magazine).
With Graham Bray and Danny Juarez playing well together, O/SM – with a handicap award of one – led early and while not stopping Mariano Fassetta and Matias Obregon they were able to contain them and held a one goal advantage at the half at 8 – 7.
No one is really sure what went on during the 10 minute break, but it was mentioned that possibly Bonaguidi passed around some of his bithday cake – it was his birthday after all – to lift the spirit. If that was indeed the case, it most certainly worked and the surfers scored three unanswered goals in the fourth to lead by a pair and managed to hold on and win by a score of 11 – 10. Bonaguidi himself had what is commonly refered to as a career day and scored four goals – one on a forty yard effort from the right and two yards off the line.
Adding to Bonaguidi’s four, Krista Bonaguidi converted an open goal opportunity, with Fassetta and Obregon notching three apiece.
For Ohana/Star Meadow, Bray had five and Juarez contributed four. The award of one completed the count.
USPA Rossmore Cup – Game One
Hanalei Bay (9) – Ron Bonaguidi, Krista Bonaguidi -1, Mariano Fassetta 6, Matias Obregon 4.
Ohana/Star Meadow (8) – Kelly Maloney, Joy Bancroft -1, Graham Bray 5, Danny Juarez 4.
Tony Greggr