CHRISTCHURCH v THE NOMADS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10264, 6 February 1899, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH v THE NOMADS.

The match between a team selected from the Christchurch Polo Club and a team from the Manawatu district, styled The Nomads, announced to take place on Saturday on the Christchurch Polo Club's ground, at Hagley Park, was only fairly attended by the outside public, though a goodly number of members of the Christchurch Polo Club and friends were present, the little grand stand being filled with ladies. The sport was entertaining, both sides playing with considerable dash. The umpires. Messrs E. D. O'Rorke and B. Lane, had a busy time, though there was eomparativ_ly little off side play or crossing. Mr C. Turrell was timekeeper, and excepting that he allowed rather long for stoppages in the first half spell, there was nothing to'cavil at. The following were the teams and their positions: — Christchurch—A. Clark (back). R. H. Rhodes 3. W. H. Woodroffe 2. Geo. Gould 1. The Xomads —W. Strang (back), J. Strang 3, A. S. Baker ?.. A. Strang 1. Play oommenced at 3.20 p.m., the home team defending the Christchurch and The Xomads the Addington goal. A. Strang, on Red Clover, well supported by Baker, on Muscat, toolc the ball into opposition territory, and within three minutes scored a goal. Sides were changed, and Woodroffe, on Dick, made a very fine run, and Gould, on The Saint, after a nice piece of play, converted. I—l.1 —1. Sides being changed, A. Clark, who was riding Pearl, shortly afterwards saved cleverly off Baker, and Woodroffe made a long run and carried the ball behind the Addington goal, narrowly missing a score. Woodroffe and A. Strang hit out, and Rhodes. on Flirt, in trying a back hit, broke his stick, and Strang confirmed on, Woodroffe, however, stopping his run, and Clark cutting the ball away took it again to midfield. Then Rhodes carried it to Gould, who made two long and well directed hits, only to be stopped in turn, the ball being brought back by a splendid run from Baker, who just failed to score as the bell rang with the spore unaltered. The half spell exceeded the stipulated time, and the play was fast throughout.

Baker, playing Irene, a long-tailed bay, and J. Strang, on Marona, quickly worked the ball towards the Christchurch goal, Cliristchurch playing a loose game, but A. Ciark, on Sweet Lavender, saved in the nick of time. The Nomads kept the ball well down the field, and a hit from Baker was stopped by one of the ponies, when Woodroffe knocked the ball behind. Woodroffe, on Tai Tapu, rode off, A. Strang on The Sirdar, who was making a good run for goal. After Rhodes, on Shekel, had made a long run and a succession of well-directed hits, Baker got in, and cleverly passed to J. Strang, and between them they carried the ball behind without adding to the score, which still stood I—l.

Second spell—Soon after play commenced Baker, now riding Lady Polo, and playing a dashing game, drove the ball two minutes after starting through the goal. 2—l. On changing sides. Baker immediately got away with it again, and nearly converted, but was pi-evented by Rhodes, on Ikeoro, who got in a back-hander, cutting the ball away. J. Strang, on Mona, quickly relieved it, however, and Baker secured a second goal after six minutes' brisk play. 3—l. Changing again, Christchurch played into Nomads' territory quickly, and got dangerously near scoring point, but Baker got in, and lie and Woodroffe raced down the field, Woodroffe finally riding him off the ball, but J. Strang sent it on, and just missed as the bell rang. A. Strang lost no time when a chance offered in obtaining a goal—l—l—and the fifth was nearly secured from a long hit from J. Strang. During this spell, and towards its close, Rhodes put in some fair work, and Gould made one long drive, the ball just failing to reach. Then the bell rang, the halfspell being of shorter duration than the preceding one. Third spell—Within three minutes of commencing Baker, again riding Muscat, with the assistance of J. Strang, on Red Clover, secured a goal, after breaking a strong defence offered by Clark,.on Sweet Lavender. s—l. After this Christchurch got the ball behind their opponents' goal, but a fine pass by ,A. Strang to J. Strang, after pretty combination work on the part- of The Nomads, enabled the latter to score. 6—l. The spell finished up with fast give and take play, Clark hit* ting the bxll out near the centre line.

In the next and final half spell Baker hit off and followed up well, Clark, however, returning the ball. Christchurch then took the ball to the eastern goal, which Woodroffe played, and altered the score. 2 —6. In the play that followed A. Strang, on Fashcda., broJce a stirrup, but Baker kept the ball goiug. Clark, however, cut it back, and Christchurch, by combined play, ran it to near the eastern goal. J. Strang took it out again, his grey pony, Marona, showing well in a fast run down the field. The ball was in play near the Christchurch goal, when Rhodes hit behind. In some sharp play in which Baker, Wbodroffe, and A. Strang and Gould, the forwards of their respective sides, were working well, Strang passed to Baker, and by a clean hit the latter scored. 7—2. Almost immediately after changing ends, Christchurch keeping well in possession, Clark followed the ball from behind, and converted after a smart piece of pla#, altering the score 3to 7. Then the bell rang, with the visiting team winners by 7 to 3. The Christchurch players cheered the victors, who responded lustily, the umpires also coming in for a cheer.