POLO.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 18 May 1925, Page 3

POLO.

/ iNT F.R STATE CONTESTS

at CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT SYDNEY, .May 17.

The tournament for the Australasian polo cup challenge trophy, presented by Messrs R. T. Melrose and A. Hordern for competition between four of the Australian States and New Zealand, began on the Kensington racecourse yesterday. The weather was unpropitious, rain the previous night and throughout the day making the ground sloppy and slippery and preventing the players getting a proper hold of their sticks.

There were several falls. 0. Nelson (number two man in the Dominion team), went down to the first chukka and again in the. second, the latter fall shaking him so much that he was compelled to retire. N. Campbell (reserve) took his place.

The opening match was New South Wales red team against New Zealand. Owing to the dangerous condition of the ground the second match, New South Wales (whites) versus Victoria, was postponed. In the- first cliukka- 3. Lyons (number one) secured first blood for the visitors, but within a couple of minutes New South Wales equalised the score. -lust- at the close of the term in the second chukka New South Wales added a couple of goals. Their ponies appeared faster and their combination superior to the New Zealanders. The third chukka provided four more goals, while the New Zealand score remained unaltered. In the fourth chukka the visitors livened up, and after some fine play W. A. Mackenzie (back) scored, but. Xeiw South Wales added two goals, making tin scores: New South Wales 9, Nett’.,Zealand 2.

The remainder of the game was played in a downpour, which drove the spectators to shelter. The New Zealanders defended well under very difficult conditions, but could not prevent tlieir opponents piling up points. In rjdie final chukka Lyons placed another goal to the visitors’ credit, and the game ended: New South Wales 15. New Zealand 3.

The visitors were obviously outpaced by players whose constant practice and participation in competitions bad perfected their combination. The New Zealanders were unfortunate in striking such wretched weather, but they are bound to show considerably improved form in the next contest. Nelson’s fall was not serious.