BRISK PACE IN POLO MATCH

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33444, 28 January 1974, Page 32

BRISK PACE IN POLO MATCH

Inspired by some brilliant play from the young international. J. Walker, especially in the later chukkas. the Yellow team beat the Red team. 7-3. in the South Island Polo Association’s (fames exhibition polo match at Ryan’s Road yesterday.

Walker, aged 24, rod£ ; aggressively in the last four chukkas, hitting powerful forehand shots, and defending assuredly. Four players from each island competed in the exhibition match, which was umpired by the Duke of Edinburgh.

Red was dominant only in (the first chukka. and deserved to lead by more than 1-0 at the bell. E. B. O'Sullivan scored the goal after a break by A. A. Calder. Walker made no mistake with a penalty from 40 yards [to even the score, and he put his team ahead with another from 60 yards soon afterwards. Yellow kept up the pressure, but against the run of pla.v Red equalised. In the third chukka. R. Chitty drove a long-range goal through the pylons, giving Red the lead at half-time, 3-2.

The second half of the match, which was played in good spirit and at brisk pace, belonged to Yellow. J. T. Askin evened the scores, deflecting in the ball as the fourth chukka ended, and Walker, with a lofted drive from a penalty at 60 vards and another accurate field shot, put Yellow ahead, 5-3. with one chukka to play.

Walker was the key figure in the final few minutes. He passed precisely, and from i one pass J. T. Askin scored jhis second goal. Fittingly, i Walker, a member of the winning Savile Cup team at the [ national tournament four itimes, finished the scoring with a fine solo effort.

The teams were: Red: Calder (South Island) 1. O'Sullivan (South Island) 2, T. Kay (North Island, captain) 3, Chitty (North Island) 4. Yellow: Askin (South Island) I, C. R. Clark (South Island) 2, J. McKelvie (North Island) 3, Walker (North Island) 4.