POLO TOURNAMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 99, 27 March 1939, Page 4

POLO TOURNAMENT.

EAST COAST SUCCESSES. WEST COAST’ DEFEATED. Considerable interest was taken in the final matches in the polo tournament at Eeihling on Saturday, when the winners of the handicap clip and the Australasian Gold Cup were decided. The handsome cup, valued at 100 guineas, was won by East Coast, who beat West Coast by one point scored during extra time. The teams were:—East Coast (zingari): J. I.vons, J. 1C MacKenzio, R. C>. MacKenzio. C. F. MacKenzio. AVcst Coast (chocolate): K. Af. Duncan, R. McKelvie, T. Gaddum, I. Parsons.

McKelvie and Parsons improved early in the first ehtikka for AAost Coast, but .J. AlucKenzie did not allow the ball to remain in their possession. Gaddum drew first blood with a beautiful shot for A\ est.

East were awarded a JO yards free hit in the opening play of the second cliukka, It. MacKenzie’s shot missing, however, and Parsons cleared for Rangitikoi. J. MacKenzio made an attempt to goal, but the ball went

behind. At the end of the cliukka East were moving up on the side line. Parsons saved early m the third cliukka, hut MacKenzio got the willow and carried it back to V\ est territory. J. MacKenzie, with a very pretty shot got the ball through to score. East drew away early in the fourth cliukka to score from the movement in which R. MacKenzie was the last to handle the ball, his tapping stroke succeeding. K. Duncan, Gaddum and McKelvie all assisted to save a spirited attack by East. They got away again, .7: MncKenzio going on to score after a few minutes’ extra time. After a brief melee, McKelvie early in the filth cliukka went on to score for Most, and play had just resumed when Gaddum sent the ball up-field and, galloping up fast, drove again to score a beautiful goal (East Coast 3, West Coast 3).

There was no change in the score when the bell went, and the fate of the cup was not determined until the final cliukka. After vigorous play AA est had their opponents in danger when Parsons sent the ball to the goalmouth and Gaddum, coming up fast tapped it in (West Coast 4, East Coast 3). "With a minute to play, East

scored, making the goals 4-all, the point resulting from a backhand shot by J’. MacKenzie. Extra time had to lie played, and J. MacKenzie goaled, thus providing the necessary point to give East Coast the coveted trophy. (East Coast 5. AVcst Coast 4). Messrs G. Ranstead and Harold Wilson were the umpires. HANDICAP CUP FINAL. HAWKE’S BAY B v. MATANGI. In the final match in the Handicap Cup competition the respective teams were : Matangi (7), - G. Ilowlctt, L. Chitty. IT. Peake. J. It. Ranstead; Hawke’s Bay B (12): D. G. McHardy, S. MacKenzie, G. McHardy and K. Robson. The opening cliukka was hardly started when McKenzie goaled for Hawke’s Bay. Play continued in the Bays’ favour, Chitty saving for Mntangi with a shot to the side. The second cliukka opened with the Bay pressing. G. McTlardv goaling towards the finish of the spell. Matangi goaled in the third cliukka the point coniine from a b’Oyd penalty hit by Peake. The scores were altered in the fourth cliukka, when Hewlett goaled from excellent play by Chitty. Hawke’s Bay goaled in the fifth chukka, the shot coming from S. MacKenzie’s stick. The Bay were attacking vigorously when the ball spun to the side, where it was returned infield by Matnngi. It was held that MacKenzie intercepted and scored. Hawke’s Bay were penalised for a breach when two of their men rode off a Matangi playin’ in possession; the 60yds hit was taken by Peake and was successful. The next was the sixth and final cliukka, Matangi making the pace early in the spell, but several attempts to goal by Peake were unsuccessful. Chitty, too. made a good effort, but his pony was tiring. The game ended. Hawke’s Bay B 15, Matangi 10. PRESENTATION OF CUP. “AVe have just concluded our 1939 Savilc Cup tournament week, which for the first time in New Zealand polo history lias included a contest for the Australasian Polo Gold Cup, and the game which we have just seen may lie called a fitting climax to a memorable and successful week,” said the president (ATr Hamish AA’ilson) in presenting the Gold Cup. ‘‘The Gold Cup was presented by Hon. R. T. ATelrose and Air Anthony Hordern in 7925 for a.nnual competition lietwoen the Polo Associations of Australia and New Zealand. The story of how we have been able to bold a contest in Feilding is, I think, something of a polo romance. It is the story of how a courageous team of players from New Zealand, accompanied by a strong band of supporters, and backed by the Now Zealand Association, raided Australia, defeated their strongest teams, among whom were New South AA ales, which included two of the famous Ashton brothers, and brought the cup back in triumph. “Unfortunately, no Australian team was. able to come over and challenge for the cup this year, so our management. committee seized the opportunity to select our three best teams and arrange this contest. This has given us tile opportunity of seeing more high-class polo than we otherwise wovdd have done. The committee has

already plans in hand for meeting the expected challenge from Australia next year, and as we are lortunate enough to have the Savilc Cup lor 1940 contested in Feilding, and the Gold Cup will be played lor in conjunction, we should see even better games and polo. “I would take the opportunity,” Air AA’ilson continued, “of thanking the public for their interest; our visitors from a distance, among whom are many old players, and our supporters from the AVaikato and Hawke's Bay. 7 would tliank the people of Feilding for their support, and the local committees and our secretary, who have combined to make the week such a success, and the Feilding Jockey Club for their generous assistance. Thanks are also due to the Feilding A. and I’. Association. I would make an appeal to Feilding and district old players to resurrect a polo club.” The Gold Cup was then presented to the captain of the winning team, Mr R. Alackenzie. The president also presented the Handicap Cup to the Hawke’s Bay B team. The trophies' won in the polo pony races on Friday were also presented, Air L. Cliitty receiving l>oth the polo cup and the ladies’ bracelet. In the event of an Australian team coming to New Zealand to contest the Gold Cup next year the following team has been chosen t-o take part: lx. Buncan, T. Gaddum, .B. MacKenzie, and I. Parsons, with J. MacKenzie as fifth man.