POLO.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7630, 23 January 1903, Page 2

POLO.

Manawatu Beats Hawke's Bay.

Contrary to many expectations the Manawatu Club's representatives shone out against the Hawke's Bay team yesterday afternoon and defeated them after a fast and on the whole good exposition of polo. The visitors consisted of Messrs H. A. Russell, J. D. Ormond, O. Nelson and W. McKenzie and the locals were ihe three Strang Bros., and E. P. Abraham. The weather was perfect, but when the contestants were in motion, clouds of dust flew from the top silting of river deposit from which the ground has not yet recovered, causing the players a great deal of discomfort and the spectators conjecture eveiy now and again as' to the bcation of the ball. The homo team played better polo than their opponents, displaying fair combination, and a great deal more accuracy than the members of the Hawke's Bay team, who failed to carry the ball time after time at crucial passages of the game. The first spell was a fast and keen one, which ended resultlessly. In the second, Hawke's Bay scored easily as the result of clashing and accurate play. Manawatu rallied to the attack, and pressing their opponents continually, equalised matters before the whistle blew. In the third spell Manawatu scored again after, a series of exciting rushes and counter mshes ; repeating the performance in the fourth after strenuous play in front of the goal- In the fifth spell Manawatu added two more points from long shots in field. Hawke's Bay fought out the stubborn and sportsmanlike finish, and by vigorous pressing were enabled tc secure an additional goal in the sixth and last round. Manawatu rallied strongly to the attack, however, and added another point to their total before the conclusion of tho game, which ended Manawatu, 6 ; Hawke's Bay 2. The Strang Bros, have lost none of tbe dash and accuracy which they have exhibited in former years, andnothwithing that their poniea were a little bit fresh alter a long spell little fault could be found with them. Abraham played a dashiDg game, and one or two particularly brilliant runs must be put, to his credit. When he steadies down a little bo will play first-class polo. The Hawke's Bay men played with fan combination, but overode the ball again and again, thus giving their opponents a great advantage. Russell in particular was off his game and completely missed the bail time atter time. Mr G. Crawford, of Wellington, was the referee and gave every sa'i-sfaction.