The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
It was the finals of the Pacific Coast Open (PCO) and it was a very good combo right from the get go for both squads. Alegria/Valiente were a new team and a dual Patron team. At times they have been amazing and at times basically clueless. The Team is also a group all under 25 and they have not run many teams. They have, however, all been very big winners. As the 3 or 4th team member, it all adds up. When they are on they will destroy others, as they have more horse power and talent than all the others. However, that is not always enough. You need a Captain on the field to make it happen and they failed on this point. That is the only reason. If they had replaced anyone with their Coach, they would have won by 3 if he survived 4 chukkars. It was a very good finals. The refs were at their best for a day. They let the play go on some missed calls, but not huge to either side. Although the losers may not agree.
It is simple. Without a Quarterback, how many teams win in Football? None. Polo is a moving game with a lot of parts and a lot of changes and situations. Most of the A&V Squad have been there, but as a 2nd or 3rd player, they had direction on the field and could and did get it done.
Lucchese was not dominant. They just picked up on miscues. Often A&V won the throw ins 17 to 9, but Lucchese got the next shot, 13 of those that will not work. It is called field savy. Jeff and Facundo had it all day. JH in the first 1/2 dominated and in the last half it was Facundo and Mr. Grahan. He never stopped working and neither did John Muse. He wanted this. It has a been a dry spell for him since he had a triple this decade. Some amazing plays were seen today which is why it happens. Jeff Hall on a Turkey Track, a Byron Wilson horse, was amazing. Santi Torres on a Valiente Gray was almost unstoppable. The scores were great for a good game 2 to 0 in the first, 5 to 2 in the second, 6 to 6 at 1/2, 9 to 7 end of 4th, 10 to 9 end of fifth. Lucchese went on to win by 3 and give John Muse his first PCO without Cambiaso. John had his times in this one being probably 20 years older than anyone on the field and coming off a couple of nasty falls this week he might be up to be a TEXAS RANGER.
WELL DONE LUCCHESE :
JOHN MUSE very Happy
TETE GRAHN MVP
FACUNDO OBERGON SUPER SUB
JEFF HALL BEST MOUNTED AND BPP AND TEAM CAPTAIN
WE had a great season here in SB and we got another week to go but I would like to thank the new people who came like PHIL AND IAN MACTAGGART AND CHRIS MALONEY AND RYAN GILBERTSON I hope you come back and will help improve your next visit any way I can just let me know . We need you and many more this is the place to be in the Summer and it can happen no matter what it can be better .
see ya at the Silver Cup finals next Sunday