POLO.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1523, 28 February 1901, Page 41

POLO.

VICTORIA v. WELLINGTON. At Miramar on the 20th the touring Victorian team decisively defeated the local players by ten goals to three, after a fast and open contest. With the exception of the fifth spell, play throughout the game was in favour of the visitors, whose combination was their main source of strength. In the fifth spell Wellington got more together than it had been previously, and had, if anything, slightly the better of the play, but their methods, taken on the whole, were marred by a lack cf combination, which in all games where a number engage is requisite to achieve the best results. One man in each team stood preeminent over all others—Skerrett. of the local men and Manifold of the visitors. Skerrett played the more drtshing game though cool and brainy withal—and the unselfish manner in which he frequently forewent opportunities to shine in order that he might by such abstention benefit his team is worthy of praise. His riding, too, was excellent., Mamfold excelled in the fine points of the

game and at shooting for goal. His back-hand strokes are things of beauty, and his horsemanship of a high order of merit. The whole of the contestants were responsible for good exlnoitions of skill, and the afternoons play was greatly enjoyed by the large and fashionable audience which 'attended. During the proceedings afternoon tea was provided in a large marquee on the ground, and a brass band played an excellent musical programme. The teams’ were: —Victoria (blue) —G. Robertson (No. 1, C. Rooertson (No. 2), E. Manifold (No. S) and R. A. Affleck (back). Wellington (white) —C. P. Skerrett (No. 1), C. Crawford (No. 2), H. F. Johnston (No. o) and D. G. A. Cooper (back). From the hit off Victoria swooped down on Wellington’s goal, Cooper sav ing well. The blues returned to eke charge, and a corner resulted, and from the hit out that ensued Manifold put, up first goal. Victoria 1, Wellington 0. Shortly afterwards Skerrett cleverly baulked Manifold and got away, but lack of support neutralised a good advantage- Johnston narrowly missed a goal from a pass of Cooper’s, and shortly afterwards Manifold had a similar experience. Hard tussles in mid-field ensued, until Manifold broke through, and brilliantly sent the ball through with a 25-yard shot, just on the call of tune. 2—o.

In the second spell the blue phalanx bore down right away, and scored by the agency of C. Robertson (3—o), after which G. Robertson took the wood up to Wellington goal single-handed, where Cooper saved cleverly. A blue rush resulted in a behind, and then the whites came away and forced the blues. Returning to the attack with a combined rush, Wellington again invaded, and Crawford, urged on by excited objurgations from the Wellington back, sent the ball through with a long shot, Manifold making a good though unsuccessful effort to save. B—l. Cooper had a long shot at goal for Wellington, and Affleck a similar one for Victoria, and then the round ended. On resuming, the visitors became aggressive again, and from a rally in front of the white goal a pouy accidentally put a goal for Victoria. 4 —l. The attack of Victoria continued, but fine defensive play by Skerrett and Johnston stalled off disaster. Cooper and Skerrett broke through and got the ball behind the Victorian goal, but the Gumsuckers came on again, and, with a combined rally, notched another goal. s—l. The fourth spell was a series of open rushes, and was characterised by some fine long shots and exceptionally clover back-band strokes. A clever bit of com. Lined play between C. and G. Robertson resulted in the latter bitting the sphere through the uprights. 6—l. The fifth round was the most exciting and evenly-contested of the whole game.. The Wellington team, which had up till then been lacking in cohesion, got nicely together', with the result that two goals were added to its score; the visitors scoring a like number. The play was fast and free at once, Skerrett materially assisting his side by riding-off opponents and allowing bis fellow-players good shots at the ball. Wellington’s first goal in this spell was the result of a beautiful sequence of good play. Coop' er glanced to Crawford, who hit the flying ball well up the field to Johnston, The latter sent it on to the goal, and succeeded in getting it through, while Skerrett rode off opposition. 6 —2. The blues then pressed hard, and Affleck came through the ruck, and sent the sphere past Cooper through the goal. 7—2. Skerrett andi Crawford next shone out, the latter doing exceptionally well, his drives being superb. Crawford got a goal past Manifold (7—3), and then the Victorians burst away and took play to the Wellington end, where Robertson hit a goal from a very difficult angle. Just as the spell was ending Crawford neatly dodged his oppon-

ent and sent the ball along the green to Johnston, who passed to Skerrett. The latter made a neat shot at the sticks, just going outside. In the last spell the blues got to work quickly, and notched two more goals in quick time by the endeavours of Manifold and C. Robertson, but thereafter play continued to be even, and no more scores were; made, although the home team once narrowly missed the goal. The final scores were: —Victoria 10 goals; Wellington 3. VICTORIA v. MANAWATU. PALMERSTON, February 25. The polo match Victoria v. Manavatu was played to-day in splendid weather. There was a large attendance. The game which was fast and well contested, resulted in a win for Victoria by C to 4 Messrs Manifold. Hood, Affleck and Robertson represented the visitors, and Messrs A. S. Baker, Abraham. (2), and White Manawatu. Messrs Manifold and A. S. Baker played conspicuously throughout the game.