POLO.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8745, 17 March 1894, Page 7

POLO.

SAVILE CUP TOURNAMENT. !

(PRESS association TELEGRAM.) WANGANUI, March 16. The third day of the New Zealand Polo Association's tournament for the Savile Cup was held to-day, the oocasion being tho final bout between Rangitikei First (D. M. Riddiford, J. G. Wilson, Bull, and Blundell) and Manawatu First (A. S. Baker, A. Williams, W. Lloyd, and Snow). There was a strong north-easterly wind blowing and it was thought Manawatu Who had it in tbeir favour would benefit by it, but th« result showed that it did not interfere with the play. At the commencement of play Wilson for Rangitikei got hold of the ball aud hit it out of bounds in the centre of the western side, but the ball having been started again Manawatu appeared to have the advantage for a time. Rangitikei, however, got the ball away and knocked it towards goal, but it was returned by Snow (Manawatu) to the centre. Play continued some time thus, but being forced by Manawatu into Rangitikei quarters, the ball was knocked out of bounds. Rangitikei put it into play, but Lloyd crossing, the ball was called and a free hit given to Rangitikei, Wilson play* ing the ball along the West boundary. Lloyd (Manawatu) intercepted and made a series of good drives to the centre, where, however, Bluudell got possession, and pass* ing the ball to Bull, the latter neatly potted a goal. After the. change of sides Rangitikei defended the North goal and Manawatu the South goal, but play did not alter much, Rangitikei managing to score a second goal very shortly. Bides changing again, Manawatu, piloted by Lloyd, in some splendid play and succeeded in keep* ing the game close to the Rangitikei goal. By some splendid tactics Rangitikei managed to get the ball away, Bull and Riddiford playing it along the field through their opponents, who were uuable to prevent Riddiford scoring again. Time was called shortly after, the score being, Rangitikei 4, Manawatu 0. , The second bout showed Manawatu on their mettle, and in a few minutes Lloyd had got a goal for them. After the change of side the play was very even, though Rangitikei played the better game of the two. After Borne play in Rangitikei territory, Bui! got away with the ball, and being splendidly followed up by his colleagues, Rangitikei scored their fifth goal, and so things stood until the end of the spell. The third spell found Manawatu on the aggressive, but Rangitikei't combined play was too much for them, and in a very short time the latter ecored their sixth goal. The change of ends gave Manawatu the advantage of the wind, and by a good run made by Lloyd they were able tc score a goal. Score—Rangitikei 6, Manawatu 2. Shortly after thechangeof sides Rangitikei added another goal to their score. Manawatu again loosed themselves, and from some pretty play were able to raise theii score to 3. To the end of the spell the game was in favour of Rangitikei, who juab before the call of time got another goal, making 8. The fourth bout saw both teams on the aggressive, both goals being many times in danger, but though Maaawatu played well and pluokily, Rangitikol managed to prevent any further score on that side, and the game ended—Rangitikei 8, Manawatu 3. The Rangitikei Club therefore is the winner of the Cup for 1894. This evening the visitors are entertained at a ball by the townspeople, and to-morroir sports are to be held on the racecourse.