THE POLO TOURNAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5519, 20 March 1896, Page 1

THE POLO TOURNAMENT.

[From Our Correspondent.] . PALMERSTON NORTH, March 19/ Tlie New Zealand polo tournament was continued this afternoon, when the first game saw Christchurch and Hawke's Bayin the field. The weather was fine and the attendance good. Messrs J. G-. Wilson and S. Baker acted as umpires. Within a minute of the throw-in Christchurch rushed the ball up the field, and Heaton Ehodes scored without difficulty. Hawke's Bay had aflutter down the gronnd,andashot at the .Christchurcli goal ended in a behind. From the hit-off Christchurch, passing well and playing with grand combination, had their second goal scored in less than ten seconds. Open play followed near the Hawke's Bay goal, and the third goal for Christchurch was put up by A. E. G. Ehodes. Heaton Ehodes immediately followed with the number four. Cross then took the ball ' down without . result. A short time after Hawke's Bay, from a free hit, scored their first goal \ through the instrumentality of Eussell, who; was playing a hard racing game. In the second spell, Eussell saved splendidly for Hawke's Bay, but Heaton Ehodes, not to be denied, shot through the fifth goal without difficulty. A slow, dribbling run found A: ,-E. G-. Ehodes in front of the Hawke's Bay goal, and numbersix wasregistered after a good hit. Chambers then ran through, and just before the call of time scored the second goal for Hawke's Bay. Alister Clark, after a flying run up the ground, easily put through the seventh goal for Christchurch, which was immediately followed by number eight from Heaton Ehodes. Stillpressing Hawke's Bay, A. E. G. Ehodes scored ithe ninth goal. Hawke's Bay then followed with a great run, and a splendid shot for goal was neatly saved by Lane. Once more, Christchurch dashed up the field, and Heaton Ehodes registered goal number ten. In the last spell Hawke's Bay put on a spurt, and Chambers, from a fine run, scored their third goal. Shortly after Christchurch came down the field all together, and Heaton Ehodes shot through the eleventh goal. Hawke's Bay were utterly outclassed, and but for the dashing play of Eussell and Chambers, would never have scored at aU. In the second game Eangitikei No. 2 team met Manawatu, Messrs O]Eorke and Wynyard acting as umpires.' Within twenty seconds of the throw-in M'Eae scored for Manawatu. Eangitikei, beautifully mounted, played a hard racing game, with the result that last year's champions had to go hard all the time to keep ahead. Keiller had a shot at Manawatu, and Eangitikei were pressing hard all the time. Lloyd scored number two for Manawatu, and shortly after added a third goal to the score. In the second spell A. Dalrymple took possession, and within ten seconds of the throw-in scored the first goal for Eangitikei with a beautiful shot. A deliberate cross gave Eangitikei a free hit, and Dalrymple had another fine try to score, but without success. Still pressing, Eangitikei hit behind twice, narrowly missingthe goal on both occasions. Prom a scrummage Baker, by . a brilliant hit, scored the fourth goal for Manawatu. Immediately after Eangitikei missed the goal by a few inches. The game was now at racing pace, and the excitement grew fast and furious. Hamish Wilson hit a brilliant goal for Eangitikei after a beautiful passing run between Keiller, Dalrymple and himself j Lloyd making a desperate attempt to save. Close- on the call of time Manawafai, headed by M'Eae and Baker, carried the ball right up the field and registered number five.' The ball being kicked in by. Manawatu, Baker again rushed up the field, and with a splendid cut, on the off side scored the sixth goal for Manawatu. Keiller, at back, defending brilliantly saved an almost certain goal, and the call of time saw the ball well down the field out of bounds. Almost instantly on resumption Snow brought the ball throxigh from half-way, and scored the seventh for Manawatu. Immediately after M'Eae missed a goal shot, and Eangitikei rushing up the field fairly outpaced the Manawatu ponies, and Hamish Wilson shot number three for Eangitikei. The pace at this period was tremendous, the ball travelling up and down the ground incessantly. Eangitikei were awarded a free hit for a cross, and Keiller following up well, hit the ball through from a scrum. Give • and take play followed, and another brilliant run saw Eangitikei put up a fifth goal through Wilson. Lloyd then made a brilliant run, and the whistle going shortly after, left Manawatu the winners by seven goals to five. The game was the fastest yet played in the tournament, and Eangitikei No. 2 fairly electrified the spectators by the grand stand they made against the present champions. .