POLO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2443, 6 March 1909, Page 5

POLO.

ANNUAL TOURNAMENT. The Waiapu Polo Association continued their annual tournament at Makauri yesterday. The weather was fine, the -ground in splendid order, and a large number -of spectators, including many ladies, were present. POVERTY BAY No. 1 v. WAIAPU. Play in the Open Cup was continued at noon, when Poverty Bay met Waiapu. The teams took the field as under: — Poverty Bay No. 1 (white, with green sash): No. 1, E. Mo nekton ;No. 2, T. Sherratt: No. 3, R. Sherratt; back, J. R. Murphy. / Waiapu (red and -white hoops): No. 1, A. B. Williams; No. 2, E. P. Wilder;No. 3, K. S. Williams; back, It. Saxby. Mr. G. Reynolds acted as referee. Poverty Bay started off with good combination, and at once assumed the aggressive. The Waiapu men appeared out of form, and weak defence by Saxby enabled Poverty Bay to register their first goal >a minute from the start of play. Poverty Bay had matters all their own way in the first spell, and rang on four move goals in quick succession. The second spell was more even. Poverty Bay, by a fine concerted rush, added their sixth goal. Waiapu then took a- hand at attacking, and good play by Arnold and Ken. Williams was re carded with a score. Poverty Bay v ere playing fine polo, anl were working with superior combination to their opponents. Jack Murphy’s play, at back, was much admired, and he saved time after time with powerful back-lianders. The brothers Sherratt were hitting strongly, and with excellent direction, and Monckton was doing excellent work as No. 1. Poverty Bay added two more goals in this spell, and the score stood: Povcrtv Bay 8, Waiapu 1. From this on, Poverty Bay commenced to pile on the goals. Waiapu were not playing anything like their true form. Saxby was too slow at back, -and 'Wilder appeared out of form. Arnold Williams was a bright exception on the Waiapu side, and he rplayed with rare dash and skill throughout. Lack of combination was fatal to Waiapu’s chances of success against the strong game their opponents were playing. At Ihe end of the' sixth spell the scores stood : Poverty Bay 18, Waiapu 3.

POVERTY BAY No. 2 v. MANGATU No. 1.

These teams then met for the Handicap Oup, an l lined out as under: Poverty Bay No. 2 (15 goals): No. 1, G. Black • i\ >. 2, S. E. Gillingham; No. 3, P. iSneivatt; back. O. Monckton.

Mangatu No. 1 (17 goals): No. 1, A. Law; No. 2. A. Campbell; No. 3, M. H. Campbell: back, M. S. Campbell. Messrs R. Reynolds and R. K. Murphy refereed. Play opened briskly, and was surprisingly fast for the first few minutes. The Mangatu team attacked so fiercely that it seemed to take t-lie opponents by surprise. The hill meu had all the best of the opening passages, hut inaccurate shooting prevented their scoriug from several good chances. The first spell ended without a score having been registered by either sile. In the second spell the pace was made a cracker by the Mangatu men, and some fast- and furious galloping was seen. Law had a spill, but quickly remounted. Good hitting by A. Campbell took the ball the length of the field, and from a melee in front of the posts. M. H. Campbell scored. Shortly afterwards, the strenuous work of the inland players again drove the Poverty Bay men back, and A. Campbell registered their ‘second goal—Mangatu ?.9, Poverty Bay 15. From this on, the Poverty Bay men pulled themselves together, and played with better combination. Gillingham was conspicuous for some fine runs, and was frequently applauded. P. Sherratt and G. Black also warmed to their work, and at the end of the fourth spell the scores were level—l 9 all. In the fifth spell, Poverty Bay added another goal, and put on three more in the last spell, thus winning a fast aiid interesting game by 23 goals to 19.

The play of the Mangatu team was highly creditable, and when they acquire the experience which playing in good company will give them they should develop into capable players.

MANGAHEIA No. 2 v. MANGATU No. 2.

The third game played was between the above teams for the Handicap Cup. The teams were :

Mangaheia No. 2 (17 goals):No. 1, G. Williams; No. 2, Dick Black; No. 3, J. Rutledge; back, Rob. Black. Mangatu No. 2 (21 goals): No. 1, H. Nicholas; No. 2, E. Smith; No. 3, M. McKenzie; back, R. Pascoe. From the commencement of play, the Mangaheia team played fine polo. Their hitting, riding, and saving were alike good, mid they proved themselves altogether too strong for their inexperienced opponents. Masgaheia rail on five goals in the first spell and four in the second. Dick Black’s accurate shooting found the goal time after time. Williams, Rutledge, and Boh Black were also in rare form, and played much better than they did on Wednesday. The game ended in an easv victory for Mangaehia by 34 goals to 21, the winners thus putting on 17 goals while their opponents failed to score.

The tournament will ho continued to-day, when Mangaheia No. 1 meet W;fiapu in the Open Cup, asd Mangaheia No. 2 (17). play Poverty Bay No. 2 (15) in the Handicap Cup.