A GREAT HONOUR

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 54, Issue 3892, 21 April 1937, Page 8

A GREAT HONOUR

CAMBRIDGE POLO WIN. THE TEAMS ENTERTAINED. Further honours were accorded the Cambridge polo teams when a successful dinner was held in the Masonic Hotel, Cambridge, on Saturday evening. Over 75 members and friends were present. “A great honour has been done to the Waikato, and Cambridge in par tieulai," said the president of the club, Mr W. A. Fisher, -in proposing the health of the A team. The confidence that had been reposed in the team had been fully justified and they had played the game like true champions. Mr Fisher spoke in appreciation of the support accorded the teams by the public to make the trip possible. The team now had the offer of a trip to Australia, and he hoped that it would take place before long. The handicap ping after the tournament showed the calibre of the Cambridge team. Prim to the tournament Christchuch had had the highest handicapped player in New Zealand, but now Mr K. Peake had that honour. (Applause.' EFFICIENT CAPTAINS. “We are proud also of our B team, which won the Junior Cup,” continued Mr Fisher. Some of them had gone as grooms and the way they did their jobs spoke well for the fellowship of the players. Special mention was made by the president of Mr L. Kay’s efficient captaincy of the team. He would not be able to play junior again as his handicap had been raised as a result of his fine performance at Christchurch.

The toasts of the A and B teams were honoured by all drinking out of the Savile and Junior Cups.

Mr C. G. Vosper, captain of the A team, returned thanks on behalf ol the Savile Cup winners. They fully appreciated the efforts made on their behalf to make the trip possible, and he felt it necessary to mention the names of Mr R. Levin, who started the scheme, Messrs V. Chitty and C. Morgan, who lent ponies for the trip, and Mr A. M. Fisher, who did much of the organising in Cambridge. Mr L. Kay, the junior captain, also returned thanks, and referred to the excellent trip, which had been an education to all.

Mr Rob Peake proposed the toast of the ladies, and assured them that their help was always appreciated. The early days of polo in New Zealand were recalled by Mr Norman Banks in proposing the toast of the New Zealand .Polo Association. He mentioned seeing the first Savile Cup played at Potter’s Paddock, Auckland, in 1900. Christchurch had won on that occasion and he realised then what a great game polo could be.

The association was formed in 1901 and from then on it controlled the

Savile Cup. Too much praise could not be given to the association for its efforts in the interests of polo. TRIBUTE TO VETERANS. The sound financial position of the New Zealand Association to-day was mentioned by Mr V. Chitty, a member ot the executive. Paying a tribute to the successful teams, he said lhe way they played on and off the Held at Christchurch set a fine example to others. "We have learnt much and have yet much to learn from the old players," said Mr R. Nolan, in proposing the toast of the veterans. “We have much to thank them for.’’ Further polo reminiscences wre given by Mr Harold Crowther in reply. "We must, not forget that Cambridge had a good team with N. Banks, R. Hannon, C. Buckland and W. Kay. Forty years ago they boat Auckland by 12 goals to 2." A successful function concluded witli the singing of Auld Lang Syne. During the evening items were given by Messrs W. Weatherell and G. James.