POLO TOURNEY AT FEILDING

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 75, 30 March 1936, Page 3

POLO TOURNEY AT FEILDING

Savile Cup to Cambridge

RANGITIKEI ANNEX JUNIOR CUP

On Saturday at Feilding the polo tourney was continued in fine but windy weather when Cambridge,'playing'in tho final of the Savile Cup contest, defeated Matangi A, and Rangitikei A captured the Junior Cup honours in defeating Whareama. The heavy rain over Thursday and Friday which caused an interruption of play took the firmness out of the ground while the high win 1 that swept across the playing area also- contributed towards slowing up the pace. ' The Junior Cup contest was placed in the morning before a large gallery of spectators, and resulted in a keen contest and a very good exhibition of the game. It was expected that Whareama would disclose improved form and this was demonstrated throughout, but the Eaugitikei team whose earlier games had not given them an opportunity to extend themselves, came away with a meritorious exhibition to claim the verdict by 10 goals to S. The Savilo Cup .1 attracted a largo attendance and although the gamo did not come near the high stand nrd of the play produced when Cambridge met Hawke’s Bay A it nevertheless resulted in a keen struggle between tho two Waikato teams and terminated in a verdict for the blues by the narrow margin of ono goal.

At the conclusion of the contests Mr. E. S. Abraham, of Palmerston North, presented cups and miniatures to tho winning teams, who were enthusiastically applauded. Junior Cup Final

Eaugitikei A: L. Parsons 1, J. Duncan 2, E. McKolvie 3, J. G. Wilsou 4. Whareama: E. Hewitt I, W. Levin 2, It. Bunny 3, B. Vallauce 4. Eaugitikei opened the contest by faking charge from tho initial thro-in, McKelvie lifting the ball out of the ruck to gallop off in a nice movement. His direction was good and holding control of the willow he took it to a handy position to miss his next shot, but Parsons came through to send the ball between the uprights. This sparkling effort was followed by a quick get-away by Whareama, Levin gathering up tho ball to open the way in quick time for Bunuy to goal.—l—l. A keen struggle for possession saw the teams fully extended in excellent formation. McKelvie took the ball off for another assault and placed it in a handy position for Wilson to ride up and goal.—2 —1. This form of Rangitikei delighted their supporters who cheered enthusiastically as the team took charge for Duncan to clip the willow across the goal where Parsons caught it and sent it through.—3-—L "Whareama responded to the challenge in the next chukka and assuming charge made a valiant bid to overtake tho handicap. Parsons was unable to hold Vallance who put in some vigorous play to give his forwards a chance, Levin concentrated upon McKelvie, while Benny and Hewitt made all they could of the openings which presented themselves. Rangitikei’s goal was imperilled on several occasions but good work by Wilson removed the danger until Hewitt, after a keen struggle, sent home a good shot. —3—2. Rangitilcei fought gamely throughout the third chukka with Parsons still finding difficulty iu marking his man. Time and again Whareama -were within striking distance and the keenest excitement prevailed in the meelees around their goal-mouth. The defence stood the test and then Wilson shifted the play to What ana's goal where tho struggle continued for some few minutes. Mis-hittiug by Rangitilcei lost them a goal and gradually the pressure weakened for Levin to clear and lead the greens in a pretty movement which terminated in this player evening up the score.—3—3. The Wairarapa’s rearguard Vallance look charge at tho opening of the fourth chukka to gallop through tho opposition and register in good style. —4—3. Despite the good work of Wilson and the dashing display of McKelvic, Eaugitikei were some time before they could get effective control of the willow. Promising runs collapsed as the willow was clipped from their possession and greens suffered similarly just when their chances appeared brightest. McKelvie suddenly got away and outpacing his rivals made tho score -1 —ail. Tho whites wcr« away again but the movement eollaps ed as greens closed in and during tht battle for possession Eaugitikei infringed. Tho 60 yards penalty shot went behind and hitting out whites galloped off to Whareama’s: goal where McKelvie played a beautiful backhander which narrowly missed going between the uprights. Vallance opened the way for the play to return to the other end of the field but overkeenness on the part of Whareama robbed them of a goal. Just on time and during a very keen struggle tho greens infringed but Wi'zon could not send home the penalty hit and tho chukka ended with the score all square. The fifth chukka opened with Whareama hitting out. The shot was cleverly caught by Wilson who tapped the willow into position for a shot at the goal which went home.—s—4. Hewitt and Bunny combined in the next movement and although at first compelled to retreat Hewitt came through to equalise.—s—s. The play was now speeding' up, and taking ehargo tho greens quickly assaulted for Vallance to make tho score 6—5 in

favour of Whareama. This chango in tho fortunes of Rangitikei spurred the team on to a greater effort, and

gathering possession the whites carried play to their opponents’ goal and Duncan goalcd.—6 —6. Play throughout this chukka was of a high standard and thoroughly entertaining. Moro exciting play was witnessed iu tho sixth chukka wit! Wilson defend ing well and shining in the attack to force the play. Soon after opening Eaugitikei’s rearguard connected with a pretty back-hander for the goal and as the ball ran on McKelvie moved up smartly to send it home. —7 -6. Attacking the other goal llangitikei were in full flight when Vallance crossed and a 60 yards penalty shot was awarded whites. McKelvie’s shot was diverted by the high wind and the ball went behind. Whareama failed to clear from the hit out and the long struggle for possession ended when Wilson goaled.—S—6. Bunny took the ball from the throw-in to gallop off and score a nice goal.—S—7. For the final bout Eaugitikei came out masters of the situation. They had stood up to all their formidable opponents had offered and in a definitely winning vein went to the attack. Play was concentrated along the line of Whareama’s goal and in the keen battle the defenders hit behind their goal line near the uprights. McKelvie took the penalty hit which evaded all efforts to check its progress and passed between the posts. —9—7. Changing round whites promptly assaulted the oilier goal and in quick lime Parsons, whose play had improved afer tho third chukka, carried the willow to a position !iich gave Wilson the goal.—lo—7. In the last two minutes Eaugitikei eased up tho pace and Whareama seized the opportunity to take charge and away the greens galloped for Bunny to register the fina'. score of an exciting game.—lo—B. Messrs. D. IT. S. Jliddiford and H. Wilson were the umpires. Savile Cup Final Cambridge (blue): fi. Nolan 1, G. Vosper 2, K. Peake 3, E. Peake 4. Matangi A (Old gold): G. Eanstead 1, G. Peake 2, L. Kay 3, G. de V Chittv 4. In tho opening stages of this contest Cambridge took charge but the skilful tactics of Matangi quickly averted trouble and play for a while was very tight with little galloping. i An opening by Nolan gave Iv. Peake a chance and his player quickly availr ed himself of the opportunity and re i gistcred.—l—o. Cliitty’s back-handers t worried the blues who were finding tilt 3 slower paco and the difficult wind . troublesome. The ground was hardly c firm enough for the speed they wished . for and as the chukka drew to a close 3 Matangi’s No. 2 goaled to equalise.— I—l. Just as the bell went E. Peake a snatched possession and put up a spec- .. tacular run but his shot at goal missed j- and the willow went behind, i Matangi applied all the pressure p they could in tho second chukka which _ found the Cambridge combination well a short of the form witnessed in the n match they staged against Hawke’s . Bay A Play was in the dolldrums s and rather listless until Iv Peake routed the opposition which had maintain- . cd a long attack on Cambridge’s goal t and galloped off solo on a beautiful ’ run to direct the willow between the 3 uprights—a movement as pretty as it . was thrilling.—2—l Although Matangi were attacking , strongly they , were unable to shake the defence and f the chukka ended without further \ score. Hitting out at the opening of s the third chukka Cambridge turned the t willow for E. Peake to cut in and clip . the ball between the posts.—3—l. The t next prominent movement came when Nolan made a great and thrilling run . to disdirect the deciding shot, but a 1 moment later E. Peake cleverly turned , the willow to clear from liis oppon--3 enls and skilfully shot homo.—4—l. Vosper swept around the field at the s opening of the fourth chukka and his e movement promised to finish off with a 1 spectacular goal but tho willow hit the b post and fell back into play. Eaustead 7 quickly cleared and with powerful hiti ting placed Matangi in control for G. b Peake to just miss registering. The r play opened out with free galloping - and some pretty stick work but the r bell came without any score. In the next chukka play was held in the cenb tro of the field for some timo and then a Kay turned E. Peake’s shot and took a charge of a pretty attack which ended !. iu the willow missing he posts and gof ing behind. Excitement grew as the - Matangi team struggled to overtake !- tho handicap and as the chukka ended f Noaln registered, to make the score I D 1.

Speeding up to the limit of the ground conditions Matangi took control and carried play to their opponents’ goal where Vosper missed a vital back-hander and left Kay a "sitter” which he made good work of.—s—2. This aparently unsettled Cambridge who a minute later lost possession to Kay who sent up a nice shot for Banstead to complete the movement. — 5—3. Shortly afterwards during a vigorous struggle for possession Cambridge infringed by crossing and G. Peake shot homo a good penalty goal. —s—4. Cambridge were now working under the pressure applied by M.atangi and on two occasions escaped when .scores against them appeared certain. Excitement grew as tho chukka ended without further score.

Mataugi bustled their opponents early in the seventh chukka and this caused the blues to miss their hits at moments when every stroke was required to connect. G. Peake came through wheu Vosper missed with play in front of the blues' goal and registered with a pretty back-hander. With the score all square and playing the final chukka the crowd offered encouragement to both teams while the play proceeded at a hot pace. Mataugi pressed and had Cambridge defending strenuously but tho wearers of the old gold jerseys were unable to penetrate As the bell rang K. Peake got the ball away but failed to make progress in face of the cleaner and more accur-

ate hitting of the Matangi boys. Each time Cambridge made a bid the willow would be clipped away from them and the interval came as Matangi hit behind. Five minutes adjournment followed before play was resumed and two minutes of the eighth cliuk'ka had passed before Peake sent home the goal which decided the gamo in favour of the Cambridge team Messrs. Riddiford and Wilson were the umpires. Handicap Cun Games Owing to the withdrawal of the Rangitikei B team a rearrangement of the matches decided on for the Handicap Cup competition for to-day's play has been made and the following is the new order: — 11 a.m.: Hawke’s Bay A v. Feilding B. 2 p.m.: Feilding A v. Hawke's Bay B. 3.30 p.m.: Whareama v. Hawke's Bay D. The semi-finals will be played on Tuesday and the final on Wednesday. POLO PONY SPORTS Following tho playing of the Savile Cup final, the polo pony sports were held. Tho results are as follows: — Bending competition: G. Howlctt 1, W. Levin 2. Ladies’ Bracelet, 2 furlongs.—W. McK. Duncan’s entry 1, W. Phillips’ Sea Day 2. Polo Bali Race. —First heat: R. Mackenzie 1, D. H. S. Riddiford 2. Second heat: T. Gatenby 1, J. G.‘ Wilson 2. Third heat: R. Nelson 1, R. L. Levin 2. Final: R. Nelson 1, D 11. S. Riddiford 2, It. Mackenzie 3. Dual Polo Ball Race. —R. Mackenzie 1, I. Parsons 2. Polo Pony Cup.—K. McK. Duncan’s' entry 1, J. Duncan’s entry 2, E. IV. Syme’s Nimble 3. Scurry, 2 furlongs (lady riders.) R. Townsend’s entry 1, G. de V Chitty’s entry 2. Ladies’ Polo Match. team won. The prizes were presented by the Hon. J. G. Cobbo.