Amuri minus Calder for S.I polo

Press, 31 March 1989, Page 25

Amuri minus Calder for S.I polo

By

DIANNA LESLIE

Alan Calder’s withdrawal from the Amuri team for the South Island open polo tournament in Culverden this week-end could throw the round-robin competition into a tail spin. Calder has been summoned for an untimely ear operation and the experienced captain of the side will be sorely missed. Amuri is customarily seeded secopd behind Ashley and the two teams usually meet in the last round-robin match of the tournament which doubles as an unofficial final. "It will be interesting to see how we go,” said Calder. "We are a questionable 12 i. goal rating for the tournament as it is the end of the season and handicaps are i changing.” Seedings were already finalised and Amuri will go the tournament as the

second seed. Its team comprises Peter Radford, Hamish Cottier, Beau Mcßay and Bryan Burrows. Ashburton, bouyed by some recent success is confident that it can win the title and Calder acknowledges that it has the ability. “They could win it if they strike it right. Although it is unfortunate that they will hit Ashley on the first day,” he said.

Ashburton which has a 12 goal rating includes a professional, Chris Atkinson, from England. Michael Askin, Dennis O’Sullivan and John Askin complete the list. But while Ashburton plans for victory, Ashley, which has the highest goal rating, will be tough to beat It will be attempting to recapture the title for the third consecutive year. The 14 goal team includes Dean Geddes, Mark Harris, Roddy Wood-rand

Warren Wells. “We are the favourites and having won it the last couple of years we can do it, although Ashburton seem to think they will,” said Roddy Wood, Ashley’s captain. Blenheim completes the teams enterted and Calder considers it a team with a shot as well.

"Blenheim cannot be underestimated. They were playing well earlier in the year before they lost some horses and they are certainly playing up to their 12 goal rating.” The Blenheim team is: Rod Mathews, (a four goal player from England), Martin Waddy, Ben Wadsworth and Dave McGill. The tournament was shifted from the Ryans Road location to Culverden because the dry summer left the local ground too hard and dry to play on.