POLO.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 26, 7 March 1914, Page 10

POLO.

THE STEAD CUP. A great deal of interest was taken in the meeting of Pareora and Hav.arden in the linal for the Stead Cup this afternoon, and though Hawarden had defeated their south-, ern rivals in the finai of the Rhodes Cup on Wednesday, the result was regarded as being particularly open. The field of play was in much better order than .on Friday, having been rolled overnight, and gave excellent footing- for the ponies. There was a very largo attendance of polo enthusiasts, many of whom.had come long journeys,-- to .see the meeting of the two crack teams.' A better exhibition of polo has never been witnessed in Christchurch. All through the first three spells Hawardeii had considerably the better of the play, but then the southerners found their combination, and at «the endj of the seventh spell they had equalised matters, the score being six all. This necessitated an extra spell being piayod, and excitement ran high as the ball swept up and down the ground at a great pace. F. Davidson's shot that scored the deciding goal was a clever one, -and credit is also due to his brother for an unselfish pass that made the shot possible. At the conclusion of the game the cup was presented by his Excellency the Governor to Mr G. L. Rutherford, captain of the winning team. His Excellency complimented the Hawarden players on the oplendid fight they had put up, and wished them every success in the future. Mr Rutherford suitably replied, and cheers were sjiven for the winning team. The players were: — ~ " Hawarden—C. O. T. Rutherford, (back), G. L,; Rutherford (3), T. E. Davidson (2), F. Davidson (1). Pareora —A. Elworthy (back), H. ■ Elworthy (8), P. Elworthy (2), L. Orbell (i). . : - -..•,.■■• : ;■.-■• THE PLAY. Hawarden at once attacked and quiclily registered a behind, a performance that the southern team- soon repeated. Even play of an / interesting nature followed, then Hawarden instituted a .fine charge, /<vhich endfcd in C. Rutherford scoring first blood. Hawarden . . . . . . . ; 1 I Pareora 0

Right from -the start of - the second spell Hawarden had the upper hand, 'and F. Davidson landed a goal from a lofty shot. Immediately on changing ends Hawarden returned to the charge, and E. Davidson increased his side's score to three goals. Then A. Elworthy broke away. P. Elworthy made a successful shot, an achievement that he repeated immediately on changing ends. Hawarden . . 3 Pareora 2 Pareora had a free shot at goal that went wide, and even play followed. Then Pareora assumed the aggressive, but half-way through the spell had failed to scjore. : Shortly afterwards the Davidson brothers broke away, and E. Davidson scored, the spell ending Hawarden ...... .. 4 Pareora .. .'. v. .... 2 Soon after the start of the fourth spell Pareora, after being hard pressed, broke right . awaV, and. L. Qrbell increased theii score to three goals. Immediately on changing ends Hawarden became aggressive, and E. Davidson scored a brilliant goal. Pareora then took a hand 7 and P. Elworthy went within an ace of scoring. Just on the call of time G. L. Rutherford made the score 6-3 in Hawarden's favour. Hawarden soon carried play to their opponents' quarter, and kept up a strong attack till Orbell afforded relief, but missed his «hot at goal. Returning to the attack, the same player was successful in his next shot. Fast of a give-and-take nature followed, and Pareora had luck in not scoring again. Hawarden . . . . 6 Pareora • ,4 No sooner had the sixth spell startoi than the southern men, who were now playing with better combination, attacked strongly, and L. Orbell scored a goal off one of" his opponent's ponies. Returning to the attack, H. Elworthy made the scores six all, and just afterwards Hawajrden again went within an ace of scoring, and when time was called they were attacking strongly. Hawarden 6 Pareora . . . 6

Excitement ran high when the players took the field for the seventh spell. From the hitout F. Davidson went near scoring, but a. beliind resulted. Play was up and down the field both sides alternately attacking. From a strong attack by Pareora F. Davidson broke away, a behind resulting, and for a time the southern team was hard pressed. No fiu*ther score resulted*, and - the scores btvng level an extra spell was necessary. Ha warden . , . . .... .. 6 Pareora . . , . . . . . . . 6 Pareora looked like scoring straight away, but then the brothers Davidson broke down the field, ending up with Frank making tho winning shot. Ha warden 7 Pareora. ; .. 6 HOW THE GAME WAS, WON.

WINNING CAPTAINS VIEWS. Soon after the match Mr G. L. Rutherford, captain of the winning team, told a .SUN representative that his men had worked hard to get themselves fit for the contest, as it was no use a team to expect to be successful unless they were. in good condition. The Hawarden players had done most of their training in the harvest field forking wheat, a form of exercise that he could thoroughly recommend. After winning the Rhodes Cup he was fairly confident of carrying off the Stead Cup also, but he and the other members of his team recognised that in the Pareora players they had to meet a rare combination. Mr Rutherford ascribed not a little of his team's win to the brilliant form shown by Frank Davidson, who stood out as the best player on his side. Davidson 's smartness on the ball was remarkable, and repeatedly got his side out of danger. This marked the first victory of the Hawarden team in the Stead Cup, but they had been successful in the Rhodes Cup on two occasions. Ho paid a high tribute to the generosity of Mr A. E. G. Rhodes in his efforts'to foster the game, and mentioned that it was the institution of the Rhodes Cup that was responsible for bringing the Hawarden team into existence. It was with the especial object of winning the Rhodes Cup that iio' had got the team together, and it was naturally pleasing to be so successful in the 'annual struggles for its possession. Mr Rutherford mentioned that the Hawarden team intends leaving no stone unturned in its endeavour to win the Saville Cup, which competition starts on the 23rd inst., but he quite recognised the hard proposition thev were up against in joining issue with the crack North Island teams.