OPENING OF THE POLO SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11826, 2 December 1901, Page 3

OPENING OF THE POLO SEASON.

A delightful change on Friday night heralded in a glorious day on Saturday, an ideal j one for the formal opening of the polo season. Many spectators accepted the Auckland Pclo Club's invitation to bo present at Alexandra Park on the occasion, and by three p.m. the occupants of numerous traps had selected places of vantage round tho ground in order to get a good view of the play of the local and country teams who took 1 , part, and a. large crowd of ladies promenaded the enclosure discussing the merits of the sport. No one who lias not played tho game can fully understand the exhilarating joy that is felt when engaged in the sport of which H. E. Bentley so aptly says: For- the daring turn, and skilful stroke, The ever-quickening stride. The ring of the stirrup, the clash of the stick, Anil the rush of the furious ride. The cheer when the ball through the goal is driven By the steady hand and eye. Have a, wild delight themselves alone, That can never grow old or die. Prior to the six exhibition games that were played a parade of ponies was held, and as a useful and well-adapted lot they filled the eye. Although many were raw recruits to newly-inaugurated clubs, they later in the day showed an aptitude for the game that stamped them as possible tradesmen. ' Play was then commenced, and Mr. Willie Bloomfield (Auckland Club), who acted as referee, must have felt a'n air of pride as he led the crack team of his club on to the field to try conclusions with a team from the Remuera Club. These teams were: Auckland (red jackets): Messrs. Hanna, W. Clarke, Charles Furohas, and E. Simpson. Remuera 'white jackets): Messrs. Meredith, Walker, Cotter, and Dr. Maiand. The spell was a fast and furious one, and the R-emuera players called to mind the Geebungs, who had " mighty little science, but a mighty lot of dash." Their gameness alone proved a stumbling-block for the older and more experienced players. To hear the rattle of tho mallets and the rush of ponies' feet betokened a well-fought tussle, and when time was called it was found that neither team had registered a, score. Five other spells then followed between picked teams, and resulted as follows: — 1. Auckland—W. Lloyd, R. Burns, R. Walker, C. Purcbas Remuera—A. Clark, 11. Cotter, E. Simpson, H. C. Tonk3: A drawn game, each side registering a goal. 2. Auckland—A. Hanna, R. Bums, W. Clarke, Lockhart—v. Romuera—W. Lloyd, A. Clark, Dr. Maitland, R. Walker: Neither side scored. 3. Auckland—W. Lloyd, 11. Cotter, C. Meredith, Walkerv. Remuera—Dr. Maitland, W. Clarke, C. Purehas. H. C. Tonks. Remuera won by 2 goals to nil. 4. Auckland—ll. C. Tonks, R. Burns, A. Clark, It. Walker—v. Remuera —H. Cotter, C. Purchas, E. Simpson, W. Clarke: A drawn game, two goals being scored by each team. . . 5. Auckland —W. Lloyd, W. Clarke, C. Meredith, E. Simpson Remuera—Dr. Maitland, R. Burns, H. C. Tonks, R. Walker: R.emuera were the victors by 2 goals to nil. A band discoursed music at intervals. During tho afternoon the club supplied their guests with afternoon tea, kindly dispensed and provided by the following ladies:—Mesdames W. Bloomfield, Hanna, MeCosh Clark, the Misses Ilesketh, Clark, Smith, Nora Gorric. Amongst those present were: Mrs. and Miss Morrin, Mrs. and Miss Cotter, Mrs. G. Bloomfield and Miss Griffiths, Mrs. Burns. Mrs. Ferguson, Mis. West, Mrs. and the Misses Kerr-Taylor, Mrs. and Miss .Tones, Misses Sellars, Nathan, Worsp, Dr. Arthur and Mrs. Purchas, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. P&bst, Mr. J. G. Hanna and the Misses Hanna, Misses Dunnet, Torrance, Wilkins, Mrs. Kekwich, Misses Lennox, Buddie, Goodwin, Mr. and Mrs. McMillan, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bull, Mr. McMillan (Sydney), Mr., Mrs . and Miss Bullcr, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, and Miss Williamson.