In the Tahiti Nui Challenge Match played last Sunday at Anini Polo Field, Global Mortgage Group took up the challenge; and in a four chukker match emerged victorious with a 5-3 score.

In true Tahiti Nui style, Bill Marston and John Austin had the Nui crew out in full force cheering on their team and serving pupus and refreshments to the assembled fans.  To top it off, they even brought along some of the Nui’s well known musicians:  Honey Girl Ho’omanauanui, Peter Piilani, and Joe Ponomo’i to entertain in true Hawaiian style.

Doug Sheehan, a visiting player from the San Diego Polo Club, was added to the Tahiti Nui team; and Michele Linstedt played her first game of the season for Global Mortgage Group.

Tahiti Nui went into the match with a handicap of 2 goals.

Sponsor Bill Marston of Tahiti Nui tossed in the ball to start the match.  As there had been some last minute player substitutions, the first chukker was played with caution as teams gelled and sized up one another.  Global Mortgage didn’t waste any time getting to the scoreboard.  When Ronnie Tongg snookered the ball away from the opposition he fired off a sweet offside drive that was smartly picked up by a well-positioned Peter Cameron who sent the ball flying between the pylons.  Just seconds before the end of the chukker Tongg made a spectacular goal.  After struggling for ball control he finally maneuvered out from the pack to fire the ball across the goal line.

Sponsor Robin Savage of Savage Pearls tossed in the ball for the second period.  Play had barely begun when a flight of five Nene (Hawaiian geese, an endangered species) landed on the playing field.  Amid cries of “Nene, Nene,” play was stopped while Umpire Kamalu Sheldon and player Cameron cautiously shooed the Nene off the field.  The players were applauded by the spectators for their environmental sensitivity.  When play resumed Scott Sims took control of the ball.  Although he didn’t score during the match he played good polo giving enormous support to his team.  Tongg and Cameron working together moved the ball down the field; and when Tongg centered it, Cameron tapped it over the goal line.  By now Sheehan felt confident with his team mates and played very aggressive polo which resulted in successfully keeping the opposition away from the score board.

Sheehan cleared the toss in for the third chukker, and brought the fans to their feet cheering as he kept control of the ball.  With expert stick work he moved through heavy traffic to score for The Nui.  A minute later Cameron intercepted a shot by Elwin and scored again for Global Mortgage.

Joan Stagnaro of Global Mortgage tossed in the ball for the fourth and final chukker.  Sims took control, and on his trusty little Arabian started coast to coast with the ball.  However, an aggressive Cameron challenged him and the two gave a great exhibition of fine hooking with the result Sims was unable to score.  When it appeared that Cameron was going to goal again, Elwin rode him off giving Sheehan an opportunity to back the ball out of the goal mouth.  Minutes before the final horn a melee ensued at the goal mouth.  Linstedt took advantage of the situation to smoothly infiltrate the pack, steal the ball, and tap it over the goal line to tally the final score of the day.  When the final horn sounded it was Global Mortgage Group 5, Tahiti Nui 3.

After the match the music went on at the Tahiti Nui tent until all joined Uncle Peter Piilani in singing “Hawaii Pono’i” to end the festivities.

Teams:  Tahiti Nui:  Scott Sims, John Elwin, Doug Sheehan.  Global Mortgage Group:  Michele Linstedt, Peter Cameron, Ronnie Tongg.    Umpire:  Kamalu Sheldon.

Polo continues at Anini Field next Sunday at 3:00 p.m.  The public are welcome.  Adults $10. per person; 12-18, $5. per person.  Club matches are played on Fridays at 4:00 p.m.