North wins show polo for trophy

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33693, 16 November 1974, Page 46

North wins show polo for trophy

From the roll-in starting the first hukka at the Addington Show Grounds, Christchurch, yesterday, it was obvious that the South Island polo team had lost nothing from its crushing defeat the previous day and that the Hagley Trophy could go to either side. Yesterday's game was three-a-sidc polo at its best —tremendous team play. with riding and hitting of the highest standard on the tricky Show Grounds ring.

But after four exciting chukkas, it was North ahead. 4-2, to win the trophy for the fifth successive year.

The teams were:North Island. — G. Mackenzie (I), J. Dasent (2), P. Thompson (3). South Island. — M. Gould (1), A. A. Calder (2), E. B. O’Sullivan (3). South went straight on to the attack, and after several near misses was rewarded with the first goal of the match when Calder met a hit in by the defending Northern player and placed the ball between the pylons.

North answered with a solo run by Thompson, who showed masterly control over a bouncing ball, dribbling it from half way.

The score remained at one goal each until well into the third chukka. Gould started the third scoring movement with a good hit, and seeing Calder riding on his own, took the defending Northern player out of the play to let Calder through to score. This lead was short-lived, because from the roll-in after South’s goal it was South’s defence, O’Sullivan, who was taken out of play and Dasent made the score two-each. The fourth and final chukka started with scores even, both teams evenly matched and ponies in beautiful condition for so early in the season. Play was up and down the ground at a blistering pace, with very hard riding, both teams looking for the break.

Then Dasent picked the ball out from under the fence on half-way took it down the side-line and, only 40-yards from the back line, stroked a superb angled shot under his pony’s neck to score the goal of the match. With time running out Thompson and McKenzie combined to score with another angled snot.