POLO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2441, 4 March 1909, Page 3

POLO.

ANNUAL TOURNAMENT. FIRST DAY, The annual tournament under the auspices of the Poverty Bay Polo As : sociation was commenced a,t Makauri at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon. There was .a good attendance of spectators, an exceptionally largo number of ladies being present. The ground was in .good order, hut the grass was a trifle on the heavy side for fast play. The weather looked threatening. and sharp shower fell inst at the commencement of iplay, but the remainder of the afternoon was fine, though a bitterly ciold sou’-wester made matters unpleasant for the onlookers. The first game on the programme was the Open Cup competition. POVERTY BAY No. 1 v. MANGAHEIA No. 2. These teams took the field as under : * Poverty Bay No. 1 (blue and white): E. Monckton, No. 1; T. Sherratt, No. 2; R. Sherratt, No. 3; J. R. Murphy, back. Mangaheia No. 2 (green): G. Williams, No. 1; R. Black, No. 2; J. Rutledge, No. 3; Rob Black, back. Mr. G. M. Reynolds acted as referee, and Mr. K. S. Williams as timekeeper. Immediately after opening, a nice hit of combined play by Monckton and Thornley Sherratt took play down to the Mangaheia goal, where the former had the honor of scoring the first goal. Mangaheia, through the instrumentality of Dick Black and Rutledge set up an attack. Jack Murphy and Randall Sherratt putting in fine defensive work. After a fast 'rally in front of tlie Poverty Bay goal, Mangaheia were awarded a free hit for a cross, and Williams equalised the scores with a fine lofty hit. Poverty Bay then settled down to their game, and their combination enabled R. and T. Sherratt to add two more goals before tho spell ended. Mangaheia defended well for a time in the second spell, hut the stronger hitting and holder riding of the Poverty Bay men wore them down, Poverty Bay adding four goals during the spell. From this on until the end of the sixth spell, the Poverty Bay team took command of the game, and commenced to piV on the goals. • The Mangaheia players were not hitting or riding with any spirit, and they also neglected to mark their opponents as they should have done. A one-sided game ended in favor of Poverty Bay by 18 goals to 1. MANGAHEIA No. 1 v. POVERTY BAY No. 2. The teams in this game were constituted as under: — Mangaheia (green and white): No." 1, Rob Murphy; No. 2, G. Reynolds; No. 3, R. Reynolds; back, Ralph Murphy. Poverty Bay No. 2 (yellow and black): No. 1, G. Black; No. 2, r*. Sherratt; No. 3, S. E. Gillingham; back, O. Monckton. Mr. Neilson acted as referee. This game was expected to he an easy victory for Mangaheia, and few on the ground anticipated the splendid game which ensued. Mangaheia went off with a rattle, and their sure and powerful hitting and hard riding bore down all opposition in the first spell. The combination of the Mangaheia team was good, and Ralph Reynolds was conspicuous for exceptionally brilliant play throughout. The Coast men put on four goals in the opening spell. From then on the Poverty Bay team hung on te their more powerful antagonists like leeches. TII9 men kept their places, with tlie result that each man was well marked, and a really fine game was witnessed. Play was exceptionally fast, and some hard galloping was witnessed. The Mangaheia men slowly and surely added to their score, putting on about two goals per spell, hut they had to play hard for them. The spectators were frequently roused to enthusiasm by the. brilliant play, and lapplause was frequent. A very fine game ended in favor of Mangaheia No. 1 by 13 goals to love. There will he no play to-day, but the tournament will be resumed on Friday, when the Open Cup competition will be continued.