POLO.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12427, 16 February 1901, Page 5

POLO.

VICTORIA v. THE SOUTH ISLAND. Though polo is one of the oldest and most popular of equestrian.' games, it has scarcely become a favourite pastime, as only those possessing moderate means are able to indulge in it, consequently the game is not well known to the general public. It is said of old chroniclers that polo traces back to 600 8.C., and many old prints show that but little change has taken place in the “ horseback hockey ” since 1549, the “ sticks ” and- " cross-heads ” pomtrayed in old engravings being very similar in dimensions to those in use to-day. In the year 1863 polo was first played by Europeans in .Calcutta, and in Assam and Japan the game is very common. Judging by the interest evinced in. the play at Hagley Park yesterday there is little doubt that were- the game- better known a, much larger attendance than that'which is usually noticeable at local matches would be- the result-.; T 6 play the game properly men and ponies require to be, well irained, and it is really v.-onderful to notice how quickly and eagerly tlie latter 'understand 1 what is required of them, whilst the game also affords an opportunity for the display of good horsemanship’. Tlie respective merits of the teams- engaged yesterday are shown by the score;, but it is only fair to state that Clark has only just returned from England, and compared somewhat unfavourably in his hack work with Affleck, who played a capital game. Distinctions can - scarcely fairly be made in tlie play of the visiting team, whilst for the local men O’Rorke played an even lino game throughout, and Woodroffe was again invaluable to his side. Rhodes’s play was not equal to that shown by hint on Wednesday. ■ The respective teams yesterday, were as follows:—Victoria': 1, G. Robertson; 2, C. Robertson ; 3, R. A. D. Hood (captain); R. A. Affleck (back). South Island: 1, E. D. OTtorke; 2, R. H. Rhodes; 3, W. H. Woodroffe; 4, Alister Clark (back). Messrs E. Manifold and J. D. Hall officiated as umpires.

The opening of the first- spell, of which six, each of ten minutes’ duration were played, was noticeable for some capital strokes by G. Robertson, O’Rorkc and Affleck, the last-named jryj. saving a capital effort' by O’Rorkc. Close play Iff.lowed, in which Hood’s quiet work was noticeable, Affleck’s relieving tactics being- counteracted 1 by equally fine play by Woodroffe. In the first, five minutes the Victorians were closely pressed, and Affleck, hittilig out from close to 1 the goal, placed the ball ,for Clark, .who scored first- goal for his team. G. Robertson only just pi-evented a -fine attempt- by O’Rorkc, and the latter again quickly attempted, but avus foiled by the fine play of Affleck rvlien the' ball was within a yard of the goal. The ball Avals no sooner in play in the second spell than d. Robertson made a capital run half way up the ground, which Clark stopped. O’Rorke reversed the position by making a great run right down the ground, and Rhodes folloAving up, scored another goal for the South Island players. Woodrioffe rushed the play to within a Icav yards of his opponents’ goal, Affleck raking the. ball out of a plose pack. G. Robertson, Hood, O’Rorke, Woodroffe and 0. Robertson exchanged some pretty play in the centre of the ground, the last-named scoring a goal just as time avae called. O’Rorke'rs successful effort, at the commencement of the third spell met- Avith a cheer, and when the ball was again in play Woodroffe, Rhodes and Hood put in some fine strokes, C. Robertson scoring an easy goal from a- close field. Affleck avhs almost successful Avith an upAvard stroke. O’Rorke stopping, the spell ending Avith the South Island team leading by one goal. The fourth spell opened Avith capital work by Hood, Woodroffe and Affleck, Clark missing the ball Avhen near the -coveted (spot,, and C. Rcbertison secured a, goal. iHood executed some cool dribbling work right -doAvn the ground,, scoring a Avcll-deservcd goal. G. Robertson followed this up by taking the hall right' round and dowir the-turf, Jus attempt at goal just falling, the ball striking one of the posts. O'Rorke played seme rare strokes ail. round his pony, Hood coming to the rescue of his s:.de in the nick of time. Woodroffe and Clark signalised- the opening of the fifth spell by capital play, but Afflcckis good back efforts relieved, and O. Robertson gaining possession, narrowly missed scoring. O’Rorke replied by rushing the ball the full length of the ground, and Avith better luck avouW have scored. Hood again showed clever dragging and dribbling form, his effort being nullified 'bv O’Rorke and Rhodes, the spell ending with the score as follows Victoria five goals, South Island four goals. Fast and exciting play marked the last spell, capital crossplay giving Rhodes a chance, Avhich he barely missed, whilst G. Robertson almost scored, from good strokes -against the wind. O’Rorke, after some neat exchanges with Affleck and Hood, in Avhich Woodroffe avrs also prominent, (secured a . pretty goal. Affleck’s effort at. goal deserved a score, the ball missing the opening by a feAV feet; but- after a' few exchanges bv Hood and Rhodes Avhen near goal,. C. Robertson placed the ball between the posts, the game resulting, in a victory for the Victorians by six goals to four.