POLO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2446, 10 March 1909, Page 5

POLO.

POLO CUP AND GYMKHANA. The Waiapu Polo Association’s annual tournament Avas brought to a most successful termination yesterday, whon the ususal Cup race and Gymkhana Avere held. The sports Avere held under the management of the Waiapu Club, and tho following committee Avorked hard to make the Avindup the success it Avas:—A. B. Williams, K. S. Williams, R. G. Saxby, E. T. Wilder, and T. E. Sherwood. THE POLO CUP. Tho first event on the very attractive programme issued by the commit too was the Polo Cup, which Avas run on the Poverty Bay Chib’s course at Makaraka, at 11.30 a.m. The distance was half-a-mile, and the Aveight 12.7, Avitli 31bs off for every \ inch under 14.2. Mr. T. E. Sherwood was clerk of the scales, and some amusing scenes were Avitnessed in the efforts of the udders to make up Aveight. One rider had to get on the scales with four sacks in order to draw Aveight. Mr. R. Sherratt acted as starter, and Mr. W. G. Sherratt as judge. The field of eight Avere dispatched on even terms, and Te Awai Avas the first to sIiOAV up. Tini soon caught the leader, and the pair led the field round tho bend into the straight. Tini drew away, and Avon easily by a couple of lengths from Star, Avith Disgrace a length aAvay third. . The folloAving was tho result:

Polo Cup (presented by Mr. M. R. Murphy); weight 12.7; distance, ]- mile:

Dir. R. K. Murphy’s Tini, 12.4 (Owner) ... 1 Mr. K. S. Williams’ Star, 12.7 (Mr. A. G. Nolan) 2 Dir. R. Reynolds’ Disgrace, 12.0 (Owner) 3 Also started: G. Reynolds’ Carlotta 12.10 (OAvner), Dir. D. Black's Pulii 12.1 (OAvner), Mr. S. E. Gillingham’s Gadfly 12.4 (Dir. W. Pilmer),. and Dir. J. R. Diurphy’s Te Awai (Dir 11. Bennett). The Aveather was beautifully fine, though excessively Avarm. The race was witnessed by a large number of sepetators, including many ladies. The winner was heartily cheered on returning to the saddling paddock. This is tho fourth year in succession that Dir. R. K. Murphy has Avon the Cup. THE GYDIKHANA.

The Gymkhana was held on the polo paddock,at Makauri, the programme commencing at 1.30 p.m. The weather was beautifully fine, and there was a large attendance of spectators, including many ladies. The members of the Waiapu Club, under whose auspices the sports were held, worked hard throughout the afternoon to make the proceedings successful. Mr. W. G. Sherratt made a capital marshal, and by his businesslike method of directing affairs got the different beats in the large fields away promptly. This gentleman also acted as starter and judge. Afternoon tea was provided by tho Waiapu team. The following are the results: Bending Race, 19 entries. —This event was run off in heats of four, and caused great interest. The winners of the heats were-. First heat, Mr R. K. Murphy, on Vanity, 1; second heat, Mr. R. K. Murphy, on Bullock, 1; third heat, Mr. T. Monckton, on Black, 1; fourth heat, Mr. R. Sherratt, on Miss AA'iggs, 1; fifth heat, Mr. G. Reynolds, on Shorn, 1; sixth heat, Mr. R. Sherrat. on Miss Wiggs, 1 ; semi-final, Air. G. Reynolds, on Shorn. Final: Air. G. AI. Reynolds, 1, Mr. R. Sherratt 2. Polo Ball Race. —This race was also run in heats of four, and provided an exciting contest. The results were: First heat, Air. A. B. AVilliams, on Roanv ; second heat, Air. R. K. Alurphy, on Vanity; third heat, Air. R. Sherratt, on Tini; fourth heat, Mr. T. Sherratt, on Eve; fifth heat, Air. G. AI. Reynolds, on Ned; final (o competitors)'.- Air. G. Reynolds, on Ned, 1; Air. R. Sherratt, on Tini, 2.

Flag Race. —First heat, E. Alonckton (Lassie); second heat, T. Slierratt (Paddy); third heat, R. Sherratt (Miss Wiggs). Final: T. Sherratt (Paddy) 1, R. K. Murphy (Bullock) 2, R. 'Sherratt (Miss Wiggs) 3. Thread the -Needle Race. —-First heat, J. R. Murphy and Miss Bennett second heat, Rob Murphy and Miss Williams; third heat, J. R. Murphy and Miss Bennett; fourth heat, D. Black and Miss B. Black; fifth heat, Mr. A. B. Williams and Mrs. J. It. Murphy; sixth heat, T. Sherratt and Mrs. T. Sherratt. Final: T- Sherratt (on Ladybird) and Mrs. T. Sherratt, 1; A. B. Williams and Mrs. J. R. Murphy, 2; R. Iv Murphy and Miss Williams, 3. Polo Pony Test-. —First heat, R. K. Murphy’s Vanity; second heat, R. C. Murphy’s Ragwort; third heat, R. Slierratt’s Tim; fourth heat, J. Monckton’s Bluie. Final: R. C Murphy’s Ragwort 1, R. Sherratt’s Miss Wiggs 2. Cigar Race, 7 entries. —R. Sherratt (Tim) 1, R. C. Murphy (Ragwort) 2. Randall Sherratt was the first to light and saddle up, and had a. fairly easy win.

Whistling Race. —First heat, J. R. Murphy; second heat, 0. Black;final, E. Monckton 1, J. R. Murphy 2. This event caused unbounded merriment. The competitors had to leave their horses and run towards the ladies whistling a tune, the name of which the ladies had to write on a slip of paper, and hand to flio'gentlejmen, wlio then ran back, mounted, and galloped round a post and back to the judge. The winner whistled “God Save the King,” while Mr. Murphy pinned his faith to “Anid Lang Syne.” Miss Monckton interpreted for her brother, and Mrs. J. It. Murphy for Mr. Murphy. One hapless competitor had the sympathy of the spectators. He came running up to his lady fair bravely whistling “Tho Swanee River” in excellent time and tuiic. 'His excellent porforin&iico so enraptured liitf partner that she altogether forgot the duties required of her. The performer struggled manfully on, hut dropped into a minoi kev an cl finally the plaintive air melted'' away despairingly into silence.

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.' After the sports had concluded the spectators gathered round the table on which were displayed the Cups and -prizes won at the tournament and sports. .... . , , .. Mr. 11. B. Williams, president ol tho Waiapn said that ho had been asked by the Waiapn team to tliank tlie town polo players for their hospitality to tho Coast players

during tho tournament. All would admit that the standard of play had been high, and the final between Poverty flay and Alangaheia in the Open Clip had been as fine an exhibition of the game as one could wish to see. He congratulated the Alangaheia and AVaiapu teams on winning the Open and Handicap Cups respectively. Mr. AVilliams then called' upon Mrs. Sherwood to present tho cups and prizes. After the presentation of prizes, proceedings terminated with hearty cheers for the ladies who had dispensed afternoon tea.

To-day, at 9.30 a.m., -a local team will try conclusions with the representative team which leaves for Palmerston North on Wednesday next to compete for the Saville Hup. The game will be played at Alakauri, and the teams will be as follows: Representatives: No. 1, A. B. AVilliams; No. 2, G. AI. Reynolds (Alangaheia) ; No. 3, R. Reynolds (Mangaheia); back, J. R. Murphy. Local Team: No. 1. R. K. Murphy (Alangaheia) ; No. 2, T. Monckton (Poverty Bay); No. 3, T. Sherratt (Poverty Bay); back, R. C. Alurphy (Alangaheia). ANNUAL AIEETING. Tho annual meeting of tho East Coast Polo Association was he'd in the Alasonic Hotel last night. Air. A. B. Williams was in the char, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: —Patron, AI - . R. J. Reynolds; president, Air. E. Alurphy; vice-president, Air. A. B. AVilliams; secretary, Air. R. G. Black; comitteo, Alessrs J. R. Alurphy, G. AI. Reynolds, R. Reynolds, A. B. AVilliams, and S. AA 7 illiamson.