POLO.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8054, 1 November 1897, Page 3

POLO.

That polo lias lost none of its popularity was amply manifested by the number of spectators in attendance at the Poverty Bay Polo Club's ground on Saturday afternoon ; there being, in spite of the unpleasant nature of the afternoon, about 60 present. In the first spell Watson, Scott, and V. Barker (white), were pitted against Bradley, Tucker, Guthrie-Smith, and Barns-Graham (blue). The sides being well matched a very evenly contested game was witnessed, and for some time it seemed as if neither side were going to score. At length one of the whites broke a stirrup leather, and was temporarily absent from the game, whereupon the blues forced the ball down to their opponents' end of the field, and liarns-Oraham, by a happy stroke, drove it within a few feet of the goal line. It was then readily followed up and pushed by one of his side between the goal posts. After tin's (here was no futlicr scoring on either side. In the second spell Watson, Scott, and V. Barker (white), played against Bradley, Tucker, and Guthrie-Smith (blue). This spell proved rather uninteresting ; the whites were too strong for their opponents, and secured 3 goals to the blues nil. In the third spell the order of play was Watson, Scott, and BarnsGraham, and Bradley, Tucker, and Outline Smith. In this spell both sides seemed bent on securing a goal, and the result was that each side scored. In the last spell Watson, Scott, Guthric-Smitb, and Barns-Graham (white), took thefieldagainst-Bradley, Tucker, and V. Barker (blue). In this the blues had the best of it, securing one goal to the whites' nil. Reviewing the play during the afternoon, it may be said there was a marked improvement on last Saturday. The game was more open, and consequently there were less scrums, while some occasional good hitting was also noticeable. Players, however, are reminded that the first essential in polo is that they should keep their places, the value oi a little good play being often lost b 3' reason of some player being out of place. The afternoon tea, kindly provided by Mrs Craig and the Misses Bradley, proved very acceptable. The Te Arai Polo Club met for their first day's practice on Sattirdav last. There were nine players on the ground and a fair number of spectators. They had four good spells, but it was very evident that the players are a good deal out of practice. The material, however, is evidently there, and no doubt the men will be able to give a good account of themselves later on.

At a meeting of the New Zealand Polo Association, held at Wellington, it was proposed that the Te Arai Polo Club be affiliated. Poverty Bay opposed, and the application was adjourned, Poverty Bay to furnish reasons for objection and the secretary to forward the same to the secretary of the Te Arai Polo Club, so that matters could be properly considered.

Mr H. Oberlin Brown, pianoforte tuner, has arrived in Gisborne, and as his stay is limited, orders for tuning, etc., arc requested to be, .left as early as possible with Mr J. Townley or Messrs Chrisp and Son. — Advt.