POLO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10074, 9 March 1896, Page 6

POLO.

On Saturday at Potter's Paddock, the Auckland representative team, Messrs. O'Rorke, Bloomfield, Wynyard, and Gordon, were kept busy meeting teams chosen from the rest of the club, so as to give them as much play together as possible prior to their departure on Thursday for Palmerston North to compete in the SavLle Cup Tournament. The first team they had to meet, consisted of Messrs. I'onks, Colegrove, Hanna, and Whewell, who played a really excellent game, and chiefly by their combined play inflicted two defeats on the representatives, wiuuuig the first (spell by 3 goals to 1, and the second by 1 goal to 0. There is no doubt that the representatives played much below their true form, and they will profit a great deal by their les?on on Saturday. O'Rorke was not feeling fit from the first; while Gordon and Bloomfield, who are generally most reliable in a defensive game, were missing badly. Wynyard played a steady No, 1.

The representatives seemed to work together better when opposed to Tonka, Colegrove, A. Purchas, and Clarke, and won this spell by 4 goals to 0; but later on, on meeting Tonks, Colegrove, A. Purchas, and C. Purchas, they had to be content with a draw, neither side scoring. The representatives claim that the goal given to their opponents in the second spell was not fairly a goal, and that one " no goal" given against their side should have been given in their favour; but, be that as it may, the fact remains that they were not the best team on -the ground on Saturday, judging by the detailed play. At the same time the team is a strong one, and under ordinary circumstances it should hold its own in this district/. Next week will show how the team will acquit itself in the tournament; and it has the good wishes of all in Auckland who follow the game, and who will bo pleased indeed to Bee the Savile Cup brought to Auckland this year. The final practice will bo held at Potter's Paddock to-morrow.

The attendance of visitors on Saturday was, if anything, more numerous than usual. Afternoon tea was bountifully provided by Mm. Haines, Mrs. VV. R. Bloomficld, and Mrs. G. R. Bloomficld.