POLO ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 95, 22 March 1939, Page 5

POLO ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. Mr (j. Hamish Wilson jircsidcd at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Polo Association, held at Feeding last evening, there being [ircsent representatives oi most of the affiliated clubs in the North Island. The report stated, inter-alia:—“The committee takes every pleasure in again recording its gratification at the continued enthusiastic interest in polo, which is reflected in the uumber of active clubs now operating. A noteworthy event contributing towards the history of polo in New Zealand was the success of the New Zealand team which travelled to Sydney in April to contest the Australasian Gold Cup against the several States topms of the Commonwealth. The venture was made possible by generous public and private subscriptions and our association, along with other sports bodies, made » substantial grant. The committee of management wishes to place on record its thanks to all who made the trip possible and its congratulations to

the team for its notable achievement in winning the Australasian Gold Cup. The team comprised 1!. Nolan, U. Peake, 11. (). Mackenzie and K. Peake. From the success of this team against Australian teams the committee feels that the standard of polo in New Zealand is high, and the form at district tournaments reveals that players are definitely aiming at maintaining a very high standard of play. It is hoped that Australian teams will he able to compete at the 1940 tournament and so give our players and supporters an opportunity of witnessing the form and style of play of our friends across the Tasman. The committee places on record its very sincere regret at the passing of Mr Harold Russell, of Hastings. The late Mr Hassell made a valuable contribution towards the establishment and development of polo in New Zealand, and in his passing the association lost a friend of the game in the Dominion. The sympathy of the association was appropriately conveyed to his relatives. During the year the following new clubs were affiliated: Pukekawa Club, Waiapu Club, Auckland Club, Hikutaia Club. The Te Akau and Foilding Clubs resigned at the close of the year. The following clubs are on the register of affiliated dubs: Auckland Provincial Polo Association, Auckland, Aotea, Amuri, Christchurch, Cambridge, Glen Murray, Hikutaia, Homewood, Hawke’s Bay, Mangaheia, Matamata, Matangi, Mastcrton, Morrinsville, Parewanui, Pareora. I’ovcrtv Bay, Pukeakawa, Rangitikei. •>. Tanpiri, _ Waerenga, AY 1 'Vaimai, Waihou, Waiapu. taken by the Hurlingha: .mittco to set up

a committee to draft international rules and copies of these have now been received for our remarks. The idea of the international rules is to obtain some uniformity between the rules observed in India, America and England. The stop is one to be commended as it aims also at simplicity I in the construction of a rule and clears I away any ambiguities. I In moving the adoption of the report, the chairman referred to the success j of the New Zealand team in Sydney j and stated that polo in New Zealand had improved. He referred also to the need for additional grounds and touched on the good financial position ol the association, paying a tribute to the work of the secretary (Mr K. M. 1 little). Mr C. Meredith (Cambridge) seconded the motion and congratulated the association on its healthy financial position. The election of officers resulted : Patron, His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral; president, Mr G. If. Wilson; vicepresident, Mr 1). H. S. Itiddiford: committee, Messrs W. R. Duncan (Taihape), G. do V. Chitty, Harold Wilson and G. Yosper (Waikato), R. Q. Mackenzie (Hawke’s Bay); lion, secretary, Mr K. M. Little; lion, treasurer, Mr Bex Melvclvie; auditor, Mr A. H. Maguiro (Eeiiding). in a discussion on the need for two playing areas, the president suggested that the committee of management might interview the Foilding Jockey Club with the object of ascertaining what could be done in the way of providing at least a suitable area for practice. A sub-committee comprising the president and Messrs MeKclvie and W. R. Duncan was set up to take the steps indicated in the president s remarks. The meeting agreed that a letter should he written to the Australian Polo Council regarding the visit of an Australian team to New Zealand in 1940. With the object of providing more polo for visiting teams at the annual Savilo Cup tournament, Mr I. Bunny (Mastcrton) suggested that something should be dono towards introducing the Yankee tourney principle, as the present knock-out contests did not give the visitors sufficient play. The subject was debated at length, several members pointing out the difficulties of introducing the Yankee principle, and it was eventually agreed to recommend the committee of management to go into the possibilities of the idea and draft out proposals for submission to clubs, PLAY IN TOURNAMENT. Y'esterday's programme in connection with the polo tourney comprised the first round of the junior cup matches. A light rain overnight improved playing conditions and somewhat took the sting out of the ground. The teams taking part yesterday iu the junior cup events were: Hawke’s Bay If (1). G. Me Hardy. S. MacKenzie. G. Mcilardy, and K. Robson), Mastcrton (K. Perry, F. B. Vallance, D. H. S. Riddiford and W. I. Bunny). Taihape (R. N. Lourv W, R. Duncan, T. C. ljoury and J. Duncan), liangitikei B (0. (J. Wilson, R. Simpson, W. W. Wilson and N. Parsons; emergencies, J. Wilson and E. Duncan). HAWKE’S BAY v. TAIHAPE. There was no score In the opening ehukka of the match between Hawke’s Bay (zingari) and Taihape (white), the teams appearing to be very evenly matched, but early in the second ehukka G. Ale Hardy scored for Hawke’s Bay and practically straight awav after the change over the same plav'cr scored again. C. Aid lardy penetrated and at this stage Taihape, who had attacked throughout the spell, scored a goal the winning shot coining from T. Lowrvs stick after several unsuccessful efforts. The fourth ehukka was an energetic one, the ball being knocked about all over the field. It was productive of one goal by R.

Dowry, bringing the score to 3—2 in Hawke’s Bay’s favour. The Bay team was awarded a penalty hit from a handy position in the fifth ehukka, but failed to play the ball properly and the advantage was nullified; Taihape scored a penalty goal on account of the Bay team illegally crossing. With the scores equal excitement grew, and Hawke’s Bay infringed giving their opponents a penalty hit in front oi Hawke's Bay’s goal. The shot scored and gave Taihape a lead of one goal. Taihape again attacked and sent the hall upheld, where It. Lowry got into position to score again. Little time was left for Hawke’s Bay to catch up and the game ended with the score: Taihape 5, Hawke’s Bay 3. RANGITIKEI B v. MASTERTON. The opening game saw Masterton (rod) and Rangitikei B (chocolate) at play, the first score coming from F. 13. Vallance in the first ehukka. In the second ehukka, following a period in which the ball was mainly in Masterton’,s territory, Q. Wilson got it away and swung it toward the goal and Simpson went on to score for Rangitikei io equalise. In the third ehukka, Alasterton pressed hard, but Q. Wilson saved momentarily. However, both Riddiford and Bunny scored, the latter coming up hard to hit the ball straight to the goal. There was no score ill the fourth, and the next ehukka had just opened when Q. Wilson found the goal mouth and scored Rangitikei’s second goal, liangitikei scored again in the last ehukka, YVilson winning a good goal. This player also contributed to the winning score when he sent the ball up-field, where Duncan carried it on to Hie goal-mouth. The game ended 4—3 in Itangitikei’s favour. The finalists, Taihape and Rangitikei B, will decide the winner of the junior cup match to-morrow. TO-DAY’S MATCHES. This morning’s and early afternoon matches were handicap cup events, while at 3 o'clock the final of tho Savilc Cup (7 ehukkas) was due to commence between Hawke’s Bay A and Rangitikei A.