POLO AT POTTER'S PADDOCK.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 16, 20 January 1892, Page 3

POLO AT POTTER'S PADDOCK.

[COMMUNICATED.] A keenly - contested polo match was played last Saturday afternoon by the lately re-formed Polo Club, undermost favourable circumstances. The Clud has secured an excellent ground at Potters Paddock, where the grass has been carefully mown, and a regular course marked out. The close proximity of the Grand Stand for onlookers, the smoothness of the ground, and the conveniences for getting there from town, make the choice an admirable one. At 4 o'clock numbers of ladies and gentlemen assembled on the ground to take afternoon tea and watch the progress of the match. Amongst those present we noticed Col. .CamS, Dr. and Mrs Lewis, Mr and Mrs Graham, -Mrs Bilborough, Mr MaCkellar, Mrs and the Misses.Taylor, Mrs and Miss George, Mrs Blair, and Misses Anderson, Banks, Lawiord, Mark, McLaughlin, Churton, Mowbray, Firth, Mr Jim Philson, and many others. The ground, as we understand is to be the case always, was thrown open to the public, and many availed themselves of an opportunity of witnessing this fascinating but unfamiliar gamo. The opposing sides were arranged as follOW 3: — O'Rorke (Capt.) Syd. Williamson (Capt.' Colegiove _'ranois England Gilmour Wansbrough Lcckhart

The most distinguished player, and in our opinion the beat mounted, was tho captain of the first team. He seems to be quite an old hand, for, though frequently travelling at a high rate of spepd, playing full-back on a brilliant black pony, he vory seldom missed the ball. The only other experienced player was Mr Williamson, who, though nob having the advantage of a well-trained pony, played a capital game. Perhaps a little friendly criticism, or a few suggestions, would not be out of place here. We think bhe members in general would make more progress were they to secure the assistance of some experienced player to act as umpire and tutor to the Club ; the ponies, too, were over-fatigued by being kept at the game too long. Strict time should be kept by th 6 umpire, the spells not lasting more than 15 or 20 minutes. There was too much scrimmaging on Saturday, the_ players pottering over the ball instead of passing on rapidly to give those behindan opportunity to carry it along, thus making a much faster and more interesting game. We must nob, however, be too exacbing at present, as these faults will probably be corrected in due time.