SURPRISE RESULT

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1935, Page 3

SURPRISE RESULT

WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIP. FITZROY TEAM DEFEATS HAW ERA. Rising to the occasion, the Fitzroy senior team won the Taranaki water polo championship at the centre carnival at New Plymouth last night, defeating Hawera, invincible for the past two years, by 2 goals to 1. The contest was probably the most thrilling display of polo ever seen in Taranaki and a packed stand roared with excitement throughout the match. Hawera’s play for two seasons now has been far superior to that of other clubs and Fitzroy, successful this season in surf life-savin", had been giving poor polo displays. The result seemed a foregone conclusion as an easy win for Hawera, but every man in the Fitzroy team played at top form, defending magnificently and attacking desperately. The hero of the match was L. Bennett, left back for Fitzroy. Only recently promoted to the A team, he marked A. Ryan splendidly throughout and his only slip was made when Ryan goaled towards the end. Hawera rained shots at the Fitzroy goal in hectic periods at the beginning of each spell but all their attempts found the Fitzroy backs there to cramp every shot. Each half the pressure was lifted, more particularly in the first spell, when Fitzroy drove Hawera back yard by yard for St. George to drive two splendid goals just before half time. Hawera rose to great heights in the second spell but could not break through tlie defence till too late. Ryan goaled from a free throw which came to him for an unmarked shot. Good made a last minute dash up the sideline and shot the ball into the net. Time, however, had ended as the ball left his hand. * „ Both goalkeepers played splendidly, but the deciding factor was the relentless marking of Hawera’s dangerous forwards by the Fitzroy backs, coupled with good throwing by the previously weak St. George. R. Gardiner showed a great improvement to eliminate a weakness in the Fitzroy attack. , Good was outstanding for Hawera on defence and Ryan, Clarke and Beaven put all the fruits of the excellent coaching they had had into operation. The unaccustomed severity of the, opposition, however, was just enough to prevent. the champion team turning its potentialities to effect. The game was controlled in fair but judicious manner by Mr. M. Smale. The teams were;— Fitzroy: N. Gardiner; W. J. Toomey, L. Bennett; R. Voullaire; R. Gardiner, H. St. George, C. Maclean. Hawera: K. McGlashan; M. Good, L. George; S. Gorman; A. Ryan, G. Beaven, R.' Clarke.