Inaugural polo game at Farmfield Plantation is fundraiser for the Aiken SPCA

Playoffs Bar & Grill set the precedent Sunday afternoon with a 5-2 victory over Aiken Taxi, in the inaugural game at Farmfield Polo at Farmfield Plantation, but the contest had a dual purpose as it served as a fundraiser for the Aiken SPCA's building fun.

Farmfield Polo decided to hold the fundraiser for the Aiken SPCA because of the excess population of abandoned and unwanted pets that has been a routine issue encountered by the county and city, said Alex Tyrteos, Farmfield Plantation.

"We are firm believers in the adoption process, and the spaying and neutering approach which minimizes the problem," Tyrteos. "We feel that it's a pressing cause and right on our doorstep. We'd love to be able to contribute, and to be able to raise awareness."

The event itself served as a way to introduce animal lovers to one another, providing dog and cat owners with a chance to interact with horsemen, said Tyrteos.

The proceeds from the 6-goal polo game went toward the Aiken SPCA building fund for the Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare, which is scheduled to be completed this summer.

A strong first chukker and the solid organization of Playoffs Bar & Grill proved to be the difference in the four chukker game. Matthew Fonseca gave Playoffs Bar & Grill an early 1-0 lead as he successfully converted a 40-yard penalty shot.

Aiken Taxi found itself winning the majority of the bowl-ins, but it was Playoffs Bar & Grill who would control possession of the ball throughout much of the first half. Both teams missed on a number of scoring opportunities. However, it was a strong team approach that found Matthew Fonseca and Luis Berizzi assisting on a play finished by Adam Figueroa giving Playoffs Bar & Grill a 2-0 lead. Fonseca scored his second goal of the day and first from the field to give Playoffs Bar & Grill a 3=0 lead. Aiken Taxi finally broke through late in the period as Taylor Freeman reduced the deficit to two goals by converting a penalty shot from the site of the infraction just outside of the goal mouth.

The second half started with Aiken Taxi winning the opening bowl-in, but Playoffs Bar & Grill quickly gained possession and would score as Adam Figueroa's mallet work resulted in ending any thought of a resurgent run by Aiken Taxi.

However, the game was far from over, and Aiken Taxi did demonstrate some resiliency as Tom Thayer hammered a shot toward goal, and would follow up his own shot with precision accuracy reducing the lead to two goals. Aiken Taxi won the ensuing bowl-in, but would fail to capitalize. A missed penalty shot late in the period by Aiken Taxi would also loom large. Seth Howell tallied late in the chukker to give Playoffs Bar & Grill a 5-2 lead.

It was just a matter of holding onto the lead for Playoffs Bar & Grill during the final chukker, and that they did, denying several scoring opportunities late in the game.

Team chemistry played a major role in the game's outcome, said Fonseca.

"We've been playing together for a while," said Fonseca. "This is one of the best fields in Aiken. "We're out here to raise money for the Aiken SPCA."