Up and down polo

Press, 8 March 1989, Page 36

Up and down polo

The South Island polo team finished fifth in the New Zealand open in Auckland recently, but flaunted some isolated sound form to beat the tournament winners, Morgan and Banks early in round robin play. It beat Morgan and Banks, 8-6, unsettling popular opinion that the team was unbeatable. “They had imported a seven goal player from Argentina and a three goal player from England,” said Roddy Wood, the captain of the South Island team. “They also had Cody Forsyth, the current New Zealand captain, so it was a pretty hot team." The South Island side was a 19 goal rated lineup, while the favourites were rated at 21 goals. Wood felt that his side performed to their potential twice during the trip — once in the Gold Cup final and against Morgan and Banks. “We were really challenged by those games and committed ourselves,” he said. “But becauw we lost one match

in the open and when we did not make it to the final all the motivation, for us, went out of it in the play-offs.”

Wood noted the skilled level of competition which continually tested their reserves and ponies. “Last year in _ the tournaments we played it was one step down from the 21 goal competition. Once you get to that level it mostly depends on horsepower and we could have been better mounted.” “You have got to have a real depth of horses to choose from. One mistake at that level means a goal for the other team because nobody misses the ball unless they are really under pressure or it bounces badly. And the game is so much faster." Wood’s work with his ponies was rewarded when his string was named the champion team of four ponies at the tournament He had nine ponies with him. “It is a bit of a thrill and if I can continue to have a good team it opens options with selling,” he said. . f

Unfortunately Wood’s best pony was injured in the first day and is still lame. “She got fat on North Island grass because I could not play her,” he said. The final match attracted 15,000 spectators who eagerly watched Morgan and Banks face Sheraton. Morgan and Banks withstood the challenge to win, 7-6. There was considerable expense involved in transporting animals, players and gear to the North Island and the South Island team was aided by Alpine Kiwi. The team will now turn its attention to next year when it plans an assault on the Savill Cup in its centenary year. “The Christchurch club won it in 1890 in Auckland and now that the club has been reconstituted after about 50 years we want to win again,” said Wood. Wood, a member of the Ashley club, will be resigning to join Christchurch and is eager to contest the 18 goal and above tournament in March.