POLO.

Wairarapa Age, 22 March 1924, Page 6

POLO.

WAIRARAPA’S DEFEAT. THE GAME DESCRIBED. The ‘‘Manawatu Evening Standard,” describing the first polo match of thc\tournament, between Rangitikei and Wairarapa says: Wairarapa was outgeneralled throughout. At times bright flashes of individual play were seen, but the AVairarapa team lacked combination, though vigorous in attack. Rangitikei took the initiative at the commencement of play and easily maintained the advantage to the end of the game. The first spell saw the Rangitikei four pressing hard right to AVairarapa’s goal. An attempt to score by N. Scdtt just failed. From some close playing which followed N. Scott took charge and scored the first goal, R. L. Levin following later with the second. A rally by AVairarapa failed to stem the attack from the opposing side, N. Scott registering the third goal for Rangitikei just at the close of the spell. Wairarapa opened the second spell with a determined attack but failed to score. R. McKelvie took charge of the ball for Rangitikei and, following a smart run down field, goaled. Riddiford and Martin for Wairarapa led a brisk rally but they were again outplayed. R. Levin scoring the second goal of the spell for Rangitikei.

From the third to the last spell the AVairarapa men were seen to better advantage than they were in the opening stages and they managed to keep their opponents busy defending their goal. The superior combination of Rangitikei, however, was never absent and cooperation told the tale. In the third spell R. McKelvie and N. Scott added one each to Rangitikei’s score. In the next spell Riddiford and Martin were conspicuous in the AVairarapa team and they were responsible for some bright play. They could not, however, penetrate the defence. N. Scott scored for Rangitikei in this spell.

Determined attacks and counter-at-tacks characterised the next spell, but the advantage rested always with Rangitikei foi* whom R. McKelvie scored. N. Scott just failed to’ register a second, the ball ending its course short of the goal. Rangitikei scored three in the next spell—N. Scott (2) and R. McKcKlvie (1), AVairarapa failing in spite of some excellent attempts to win through to their opponents’ goal. lu the seventh and. last spell, Wairarapa put on a spurt, Riddiford forccing the pace down field with Martin handy. Riddiford missed in front of the goal, but Martin closed in and retrieved the ball which he shot through, registering the only goal of the match for AVairarapa. Rangitikei then made several spirited attacks against their opponents, two goals being scored by R. McKelvie. The game ended: Rangitikei Al 4 AVairarapa 1. Mr M. Murphy umpired. Following are the handicaps for the Handicap Cup competition:—Hawkes Bay A, ser., Rangitikei A, 10 goals, Hawkes Bay B and Rangitikei B, 21; Feilding, 26; Wairarapa 30.