THIRD CHALLENGE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3228, 17 February 1943, Page 5

THIRD CHALLENGE

HIKUTAIA BEATEN 11—6 POLO PLAYED AT PURIRI MORRINSVILLE WIN GREEN CUP

Conditions were perfect on Saturday last, when a large number of spectators watched the Morrinsville “A” polo team play Hikutaia “A” for the Green Cup at Mr Hunter’s paddock, Puriri. This is the third time Morrinsville has challenged Hikutaia for this cup, which was given for open competition by Mr William Green, of Omahu. On both other occasions Hikutaia has withstood the challenge, but on Saturday, Hikutaia, although they put up a good fight, found themselves definitely outclassed' by a much superior team and although Morrinsville had to concede to them a- handicap of four goals, Morrinsville ran out comfortable winners by 11 goals ■-.-■.■Tile Morrinsville team on the day played splendid polo, their teamwork being almost faultless, while whenever they were within scoring distance of the goal the ball would be sure to get 'home, so accurate was their hitting. Every member ctf the winning team played outstanding polo and it was hard to give pride of place to any one player, but certainly A. Elliott took the public fancy with his great hitting and scoring and his ability to take advantage of every opening, which his brother, J. Elliott, who is considered one of the best No. Iplayers in New Zealand, made for him. ' Lacked Direction

C. McCullough, who captained the team, was seen at his very best, while J. Elliott and F. Klaus were, as usual, towers of strength. Hikutaia, on the other hand, never seemed to settle down and showed little appreciation of positional play and while their hitting in many cases was good and clean it lacked direction. In the open play W; Green and G. Flavell were noticeable for some good hitting, while A. Boyce, at No. 4, was right off his game. C. Murdock was sound on defence, and R. Henry, who . played alternate spells with G. Flavell, did not have a chance to show his usual form as he was playing out of his usual position. From a spectators’ point of view though, the game was well worth watching as Morrinsville gave such a splendid display of polo and the pace all through was fast and in every sense a good, clean match.’

At the conclusion of the game Mr ■Geo. Avery, president of the Hikutaia polo team, presented the winners with the Green Cup. In doing this, Mr Avery said it gave him great pleasure to present the cup to the Morrinsville team and he wished to heartily congratulate them on their splendid win, which they fully deserved on their play that day and undoubtedly the best team had won. He wished them every success for' the season. Mr Avery also extended his thanks to Mr Hunter for the use of his paddock as a playing field and for having mowed it for that purpose, also to Mr Woods, of Morrinsville, who had acted as time-keeper, and all other helpers, including the ladies. Third Time Lucky . Mr McCullough, president of the Morrinsville Club and captain of the team, replied and said that this was the third time they had tried to lift the Green Cup and apparently the third time was the lucky time. Their team, he said, had enjoyed the match thoroughly, as it had been played in a fine sporting spirit by both teams throughout. He also thanked Mr Hunter and called for cheers to show their appreciation for his generosity. The teams were:—

Morrinsville (handicap 10 goals): J. Elliott (1), C. McCullough (2, captain), A. Elliott (3), F. Klaus (4). Hikutaia (handicap 6 goals): G. Flavell and R. Henry (I) 1 , C. Murdock (2), W. Green (3, captain), A. Boyce (4). Officials: Referee, Mr M. Fitzgerald; timekeeper, Mr Woods; scorer, Mr D. Healey. The first chukka was opened at- a very fast pace by Morrinsville and after the ball was well handled by J. Elliott, A. Elliott and McCullough, J. Elliott opened the score for Morrinsville with a good goal in front of the goal mouth. The balance of the chukka was fairly even, the ball being well cleared several times by W. Green while both he and C. Murdock did some useful riding off and’ time rang with no further score.—Morrinsville, 1, J. Elliott. Hikutaia, 0. Morrinsville Makes The Pace In the second chukka Morrinsville again made the pace and with beautiful long bits passed the ball from one to another all over the field and in quick succession scored four more goals, the most outstanding one be-

ing when A. Elliott picked up the ball from in front of Hikutaia and scored a great goal from wide out and at a most difficult angle.—Score: Morrinsville 5, F. Klaus (1), A. Elliott (1), J. Elliott (1), C. McCullough (1). Hikutaia 0.

The third chukka saw Morrinsville still having the best of the game, scoring twice to Hikutaia’s once, A. Elliott being Morrinsville’s scorer once again from wide out each time, while W. Green opened the score for Hikutaia after saving well in the centre of the field and scoring with a powerful hit from a fair angle. Scores: Morrinsville 7, A. Elliott (2), Hikutaia 1, W. Green (1). Hikutaia Play Better The fourth and fifth chukkas both ■began with fairly tight play, Hikutaia trying hard to mark theii* opponents, but F. Klaus at No. 4 got away time and again and the other three players took advantage of every opening and w T ith long powerful hitting took the game from one end of the field to the other at a rapid pace and piled on four more goals to their* total while G. Flavell added one for Hikutaia.—Score:' Morrinsville 11, A. Elliott (2), McCullough (2). Hikutaia 2, G. Flavell (1). The sixth chukka saw Hikutaia playing better polo but they had left it too late and although they tried hard to score again their hitting lacked direction and they could not just bring it off, but they did manage to hold Morrinsville and prevent any further scoring by them. Altogether this was Hikutaia’s best chukka and the match ended with the score, including handicaps, 11—6. Scorers were.—Morrinsville: A. E. Elliott 5, McCullough 3, F. Klaus 1, J. Elliott 2. Hikutaia: W. Green 1, G. 1. . As a curtain-raiser to the cup match, Hauraki Plains played Hikutaia B team and defeated them by 5 goals to 0. FRIENDLY GAME MORRINSVILLE WIN AGAIN A friendly match was also played at Hunter’s paddock, Puriri, on Sunday, and once again Morrinsville were winners by 10 goals to 6, the handicaps being as Saturday’s. Once again there was a large crowd of spectators and they saw a much improved Hikutaia team play a good fast game against the cup winners and although Morrinsville again played great polo, Hikutaia certainly gave them a good game. W. Green was unable to play for Hikutaia owing to an injury to his knee which he received during Saturday’s game and his place was taken by K. Dean, who played a very sound game all through the match.

The referee was Mr M. Fitzgerald, Mr D. Healey was scorer and Mr Woods timekeeper. The teams were:—

Morrinsville: J. Elliott, C. McCullough, A. Elliott, F. Klaus. Scorers: C. McCullough (4), F. Klaus (3), J. Elliott (2), A. Elliott (1). Hikutaia: G. Flavell, C. Murdock, A. Boyce, K. Dean. Scorers: K. Dean (1), A. Boyce (1).