Ashley wins third polo cup

Press, 3 April 1989, Page 26

Ashley wins third polo cup

s Ashley beat off its rivals in the Alpine Kiwi South Island polo championships at Culverden during the week-end to win the Gould Cup for the third consecutive year. Under the experienced guidance of Roddy Wood and Mark Harris, regular South Island players, the side changed gear for its hardest match against Ashburton on Friday to win 6-4. It clinched the title in the final roundrobin game against Amuri yesterday winning 12-2. "Roddy has the ability to control his own team so that - they dominate the team they are playing against,” said Andrew Askin, the president of the South Island Polo Association. Mr Askin felt that Wood’s and Harris’ experience was too much for the Ashburton team which was highly rated for the tournament. Dean Geddes and Warren Wells completed the successful Ashley team. “Dean has been playing well all season and Warren has proved that he has the ability to come back into the game strongly after a break,” said Mr Askin.

Ashley beat Blenheim on Saturday, 6-4, dampening the dark horse’s chances in the tournament. But Mr Askin praised the Blenheim team’s efforts. It had an encouraging week-end under the guidance of a visiting English player. Rod Mathews. Amuri B won the Michael Bellerby plate while Blenheim A won the Rhodes Cup

which was decided on handicap points.

Wood’s work with his mounts was rewarded when he won the Rangitikei Polo Pony Trophy for the best team of A grade ponies. Dennis O’Sullivan’s mount, Holly, was the champion A grade pony while Aiden McKenzie’s pony, Goldie, found favour winning the B grade. Simon Broom wrapped up a successful tournament when he gained double honours. He won the Russley Cup for the most improved junior and scooped the pool to win the award for the best B grade team.

A South Island team was named at the end of the tournament to contest the Canterbury A. and P. show in November. Wood and Harris are not in the lineup.

In their absence Michael Askin (Ashburton) and Brian Burrows • (Amuri) will join Alan Calder (Amuri) for one of the main features at the annual show.

Results.— Gould Cup: Blenheim 6, Amuri 5; Ashley 6, Ashburton 4; Ashburton 6, Amuri 5; Ashley 6, Blenheim 4; Ashley 12, Amuri A 2. Bellerby Plate (half goals indicate a handicap): Amuri C 8, Ashburton C 1 Amuri B 8, Ashley B Ashburton B I*4, Blenheim 5; Ashley C B*/ 2 , Geraldine A 1; Amuri B 5, Amuri C 2*4; Blenheim B 5, Ashley C 3*/ 2 ; Ashley B 7, Ashburton C 3*4; Ashburton B 814, Geraldine 0.