Polo favourites untroubled

Press, 8 April 1978, Page 52

Polo favourites untroubled

Amuri A and Ashburton A, the two most tightly handicapped teams in the premier polo event, the Gould Cup, had convincing wins when the South Island championships started at Ryan Road yesterday. Amuri, which had its only win in the tournament _ six years ago, is the slight favourite for the final against Ashburton, which has monopolised the senior open. That opinion was borne out by the .impressive play of Amuri against Ashley "in its first game. With Graeme Higginson a tower of strength at number

three, and backed by the experienced Calder brothers, Alan and Bruce, and the seasoned Colin Clark, Amuri threatened to swamp Ashley in the opening chukkas. But Ashley stuck to its guns in commendable style — it was conceding a fivegoal advantage in handicap rating — and restricted Amuri’s scoring in the second half of the game. Brian Storer played impressively for Ashley, which lost, 5-12. Ashburton, holding a fourgoal advantage over Blenheim A, led by only one goal after the first chukka

but its suoerior teamwork told and, after leading, 6-2, after three chukkas, it added a further six goals in the second half and kept Blenheim scoreless. Blenheim rode its opponents well in defence and there was some hard hitting bv Martin Waddy and enthusiastic chasing by David Cambridge.

However. Ashburton, with the long standing South Island representative, John Askin, in top scoring form and placing six of the first eight goals through the pylons, was easily the superior attacking combination.

Dennis O'Sullivan, a recent newcomer to Ashburton’s top side, displayed considerable skill riding at number one and Andrew Askin and Guy Martin did their job well on defence as well as creating opportunities for the ever alert John Askin. Results:

Gould Cup, senior open: Amuri A 12, Ashley 5; Ashburton A 12, Blenheim A 2.

Plaisted Cup, medium-goal open: Waimate A 4, Taieri 2; Amuri B 4, Geraldine A Low-goal open: Ashburton B 2, Geraldine B 0: Blenheim B 2, Amuri C 1.