Polo team gets shock

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33463, 19 February 1974, Page 14

Polo team gets shock

Canterbury, ene of the most heavfly favoured teams to win the national water polo title this year, was given a fright by Combined Services at Queen Elizabeth II Park pool last evening. Canterbury shot into a 5-0 lead in the first quarter, but In the rest of the game could score only four more goals, while Services also scored four times. This gave Canterbury a comfort, able enough victory, but not a great deal of satisfaction. However the Servicee’ players have had four days regular play In their own competition, and it was a lack of understanding—the team w'as chosen only yesterday afternoon — which accounted for the lack of cohesion In the first quarter. At times, it seemed Services was able to outswim Canterbury, which was a little surprising, and although the Canterbury defence was usually reliable, the players were often too slow to switch. M. A. Harding was always a force for Canterbury and scored five of the goals. The best of the Service players were R. Bell and B. Hodges, while I. M. Brown’s experience on defence was often invaluable. These three players scored all the SerMee goals, Bell two of them, while the other Canterbury goals wore scored by P. G. C. Hay (two) B. M. Mustchin—who was always dangerous when break--1 ing—and IL. Gunthorp.