POLO.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18911, 28 January 1927, Page 13

POLO.

THE TAHU CUP.

PAREORA TEAM SUCCESSFUL.

In the first day's matches for the Tahu and Orbell Cups, which were played on the Christchurch Polo Club's ground at Hagley Park yestesday, the' Pareora team was successful in winning the former trophy. The day was a perfect one for out-, door sport and a light wind tempered the heat. The ground was in splendid order, the ball running well, and good, open polo was witnessed in the majority of the games. The games were played off to schedule, a fact which members viewed with great satisfaction, ino Tahu Cup was an American tournament, each game consisting of thrco chukkas of seven minutes each. The Hon. Mrs Tahu'Rhodes presented the Tahu Cup to the Pareora team and congratulated the winnei-3 on their successful matches.

Mr George Gould paid a compliment to the veteran polo player, Mr Arthur Elworthy, and said that it was to him that a great deal of the credit was due. Returning thanks on behalf of his side, Mr Elworthy said that the last, time the Tahu Cup was won by the Pareora team there were three Ehvorthy players in it and one Orbell; now there were three Orbells and one Elworthy. Mr Gould had complimented him on his game, but he would turn the compliment to Mr Derek Orbell, tho youngest member of tho side, who had done splendidly, and had been up against a very good player in Mr Derrick Gould. Polo players were sincerely sorry to lose Captain Tahu Rhodes from Canterbury, and it was to be greatly regretted that he vrould not be in Christchurch for the tournament next year. Captain Rhodes had done great service for polo in the province. speaker called for cheers for Captain and the Hon. Mrs Tahu Rhodes.

Following are tho teams and.'their handicaps:— Pareora: A. S. Elworthy, L. B. Orbell, H. Orbell, and D. Orbell (handicap 4 goals). Christcliurch A: Tahu Rhodes," D. Gould, E. M. D. Johnston, and G. Grigg (scr). ' 4 Amuri: I\. Gould, C. Macfarlane, L. Jamieson, and L. Macfarlane (handicap 5 goals). Chrißtchurch B: K. M. Johnson, C. Deans, V. de Crespigny, and Vivian Stewart (handicap 8 goals). Major G. F. Button and Mr- G. Gould wore the umpires, and Mr J. G. Macdonald acted as timekeeper. The results wore: —

Chxistciurch A (11 goals) v. Christchurch. B (8 goals).

In this, the first match of the series, the A team were too strong for their opponents, and their speed and.Combi-. nation won them the game with comparative ease. The defence work of; Christchurch B was good, hv- they were unablo to cross their opponents' goal line. For tho A team goals were scored, by Grigg (3), Gould (3), Rhodes (3), and Johnson (2).

Pareora (11 goals) v: Christchurch B (8 goals). . The .Christchurch' B team had found its foet more in its second,match, and the style of play had improved greatly. Pareora forced the game from the start, and the chukka opened with a goal : scored by L, Orbell) who also scored a' ; few minutes later. Ohristchurch, ■ inade a Valiant attempt to rush the ball to their opponents' goal posts, but the sitii- ■' ation was saved for Pareora; by El- • worthy. Before the chukka ended three more goals had been notched for the southern team, and the spell ended with the score at 9-8. Individual players in the Christchurch team showed up splendidly in the following chukka,. but their 'combination was at fault and they did not cover their men well. In the second spell, goals were scored for Pareora by A. Elwortby, and L. ! Orbell (3) with- . out Christchurch retaliating. The combination of the home team improved wonderfully in the final chukka, and the Pareora .men wore able to score only one goal. When, hovering in a melee round the goal, H. Orbell found an opening and nicked the ball through the posts.

Chrißtchurch A (7 goals) v. Amuri (6 goals).

This match between Christcliurch. A and Amuri was the < fastest and most even game of the morning, and the finish showed that < there was little between them on the handicapping. The first ehukka opened with hard galloping from ono end of the'field to the other.'D. Gould and Ehodes were responsible for the first score.of the game, Gould rushed the ball upficld, and Ehodes took charge at the posts and shot it between them. Amuri tried their hardest to retrieve the lost ground,'but their opponents carried the ball with them again and from a melCe round the posts Johnson drove the balL accurately into goal. Johnson "scored again, almost immediately, with a long shot from downfield, and D. Gould, scored two goals before the ond of the. spell. In the final ehukka, Amuri made their first successful movement,''when the Macfarlanes were associated in a fine scoring.' rush. After hard-and'fast'.play, the ehukka ended with a goal scored by Ehodes.

Pareora (8 goals) v. Amuri (5 goals). Loose scrambling play marked the opening chukkas of this game, which was won by Pareora with a margin of three goals. The first ehukka opened with a scries of ineffectual rushes which culminated. in Pareora scoring a goal. Amuri made every effort to. equalise, but a free, hit to the South Canterbury team gave H. Orbell. an opportunity to drive through and score. Faster play featured in the second and third chukkas, and each player hit moro surely. In the second ehukka two goals were notched by Pareora, one of which L. Orbell scored with a splendidly true shot. In the. third spell, play was a trifle "sticky" and the game ended without alteration to the score. /

Pareora (7 goals) v. Christchurcli A (6 goals). Christchurch opened the first chukka in a' determined fashion and rushed the ball to their opponents' goal, where Johnson nicked it through the posts from si'good position.'"Just after the change-over, Grigg made a-strenuous effort to score another goal, but the ball went just wide of the posts after a good rush downfield. . Directly afterwards, Johnson scored again for Christchurch. After a goal scored by Gilbert Grigg the chukka ended. The first score for Pareora was registered by D. Orbell early in-the second chukka,,and.L,; Orbell scored another just before the call of time. During the second chukka Christchurch were singularly unfortunate is narrowly missing goals', and in losing the ball at goal after good rushes. Christchurch had to score five 'goals to win at the end of the chukka. The third chukka opened with hard galloping, and Christchurch inised an opportunity right at the beginning. From half-way Pareora carried the ballupfield and scored. Grigg made a good-rush for*Christchurch; and scored neatly. It appeared impossible for. Chrißtehureh to equajise the.score, bnt they, scored twica

before the game ended, and the final score was Pareora 7, Christchurch A 6. Amur! (12 goals) v. Cbristcnurch B (8 goals). In the final match of the day, Amuri defeated Christchurch B by 12 goals to 8. The Northern side' opened ; smartly and scored four goals in.the first two chukkas, while the home; team, failed to score. Amuri commenced the final spell with a goal, but play was not' particularly fast. The opposition offered by Christchurch. did not hold their dp' ponents in check, and Amuri - scored twice-■within-the last 4 'three minutes of '. ..: r '„J"j i '.'.v : '_i_ - .iir.;; ■":.' I