POLO.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XII, 22 March 1902, Page 544

POLO.

Tin- annual polo tournament for the Am klaiid Provincial Polo Cup was the attraction last week at Alexandra I‘ark, Epsom. There was a good attendance of the public, who took a marked intcrst in the play. Beginning on Wednesday afternoon, the meeting lasted till Saturday evening.

In the first match the Auckland IT. team defeated Clevedon by five goals to three. The Auckland team consisted of K. B. Simpson (back), McCosh Clark (3), M. Wynyard (2), and R. Burns (1). The Clevedon players were: E. Wilson (back), \V. Stevens (3), C. Schmidt (2), and Burgoyne (1). For the winners Burns scored two goals, Clark two, and Simpson one; and for Clevedon the scorers were Schmidt, Burgoync, and Stevens. The second m,atch was between Auckland I. and Waingaro B teams. Auckland won by six goals to nil, the scorers for the winners being Tonks (five goals) and Wynyard (one goal). The teams were;—Auckland I.: W. Idoyd (back), W. Clarke (3), H. C. Tonks (2), C. Purchas (1). Waingaro B: A. Upton (back), T. Wilson (3), Bull (2), A. Wilson (1). The third and last match of the afternoon was one between Cambridge I. and Waingaro A, and was a fast and interesting game. Cambridge played remarkably well, and won by 11 goals to nil. The scorers were: W. Kay and Potts (three goals each), and N. Banks and Hannon (two goals each). The teams were:— Cambridge I.: N. Ranks (captain), Hannon, W. Kay, and Potts. Waingaro A: Wheeler (back), H. Wilson (3), C. Dawson (2), and E. Allen (1). In the first match played between the Auckland I. and the Auckland 11. teams, the former team won by 11 goals to nil. The following players represented the teams:—Auckland I.: XV. Lloyd (fullback), W. Clark (No. B>, H. Tonks (No. 2) C. Pur eh as (No. 1). Auckland II.: Wheeler (fullback). McCosh Clark (No. 3) W. Wynyard (No. 2), R. Burns (No. 1). Wheeler, of Waingaro played fullback by consent in place of E. B. Simpson. For the winning team Tonks scored five goals, Purchas two, and Lloyd four. Tonks was most decidedly the best man on the field, and played a dashing and brilliant game. Eloyd was quite reliable at fullhack. Wheeler, mounted on one of Mr R. Burns’ ponies, played a good game, and McCosh Clark did a lot of useful hard hitting play. Burns as No. 1 was constantly worrying the fullback of Auckland I.

The second contest between Cambridge and Remuera was won by the former by eleven goals to nil. The Cambridge players were Kay (fullback), Banks (No. 3), Potts (No. 2), Hannan (No. 1). Remuera was represented by Maitland (fullback), (’otter (No. 3), Crowther (No. 2). Meredith (No. 1). Potts played a good gams and Banks was conspicuous in several dashing forward rushes. For (he losing side- Crowther, with his accurate hitting, played a really good game, while Kay gave a line exhibition of horsemanship. The chief match on Thursday was between Auckland and Cambridge, which resulted, after a hardly-fought game, in a victory for the visiting team by four goals to three. The Auckland players (red) were W. Eloyd (full-back), H. Tonks (No. 3), W. Clark (No. 2), and C. Purchas (No. 1). Cambridge (blue) was represented by W. Kay (full-back), N. Banks (No. 3), R. Hannan (No. 2), and C. I’otts (No. 1). For the winning team Kay scored three goals and Banks accounted for the remaining goal. Tonks secured two goals for Auckland and Eloyd one.

Dr. W. Alai Hand acted as umpire for Auckland and Mr. Buckland for Cambridge. Air. R. D. Eockhart acted as time-ke< k x er.

From the very commencement of the game it was evident that the two teams were evenly matched, and although the visitors put up their full score within the first four spells, the home team battled well, and the result of the match was doubtful until the bell sounded ” time up.” Within the first half minute Banks scored a goal for the blues, but they were hard pressed, and twice Kay cleverly prevented a score for the home team. In the second spell the rods almost secured a goal, but Potts rode off and Kay added to the visitors* ►core. In the next spell Purchas got in a good run, and Tonks was enabled to pot Auckland’s first goal. A few minutes later Kay again added to the Cambridge team’s score, the scores at half-time being Cambridge 3, Auckland 1. Tn the fourth spell Tonks quickly increased the reds’ score to two, and Kay invaded the opponents’ territory. The home team worked the ball down the field, and IJoyd had hard luck in driving ft just outside the goals. Kay then returned up the field and got another goal for Cambridge, and during the remainder of the speli made a couple more business-like attempts tn score. Almost Immediately’ af'rr the commencement of the fifth spell Tonks. while riding off got a nasty spill from bls pony, and the game had to be suspended for awhile. Within thirty seconds after the p’ny resumed, he was ♦•onspi<‘uous In a forward rush.. and TJovd Increased Auckland’s record to three gf ji’s. and the scores then were—Cnm--I.ridge 4. Auckland 3. Tn the last snell the game waxed fast and furious. Kay almost made another score, but was checked by the red full-back, who by a sueecsnlon of accurate hits earrird the hall down the field and Just drove It behind ih» gnr. l when the bell sounded, the being Cambridge 4. Auckland 3. • n»n “tnrt to finish every man was bent In worX’. JC*y. who wa« an armv In himself. WC.- •n» ln " t «y "t his team.

and was responsible for their victory. Hls clever horsemanship and clean hitting were much admired and duly applauded. Banks made some good hits when he got the ball, and Potts worked hard as No. 1. In the Auckland team Eloyd at full-back undoubtedly played the best game for his side. Tonks, as No. 3, played a consistent and good game throughout.

Two other matches were played during the course of the afternoon. The first —between the Waingaro and Clevedon B teams—was won by the former by five goals to nil. The following were the players:—Waingaro: Upton (full-back). Bull (No. 3). T. Wilson (No. 2' J-T. Wilson (No. 1). Clevedon H: J. E- Wilson (full-back) Burgoync (No. 3». M. Wyny»rd (No. 2). Schmitt (No. D. The other game vap played bv the following teams:—Remuera : Meredith (fullback). Crowther (No. 3),..Cotter (No. 2). Dr. Maitland (No 1). and Waingaro: Wheeler 'fnP-haok). Dnwnon (Nn. 3). * r . Wilson (No. 2). H. Wilson (No. 1). This game was annexed by Remuera by four goals to all. Everv afternoon refreshments were handed round by the lady’ friends of the players. POEO SPORTS. Ideal sporting weather prevailed on Saturday afternoon, when Auckland and Remuera Polo Clubs held their annual sports and races at Alexandra Park. Epsom. With a clear sky overhead and a delicious cooling breeze from the east, no better day could have been desired, and the public, taking advantage of the glorious weather, turned out in good numbers. Although at the commencement of the sports there was not a very large muster, as the afternoon wore on the number of spectators increased until there was a very good attendance. The whole programme passed off most successfully, not a hitch occurring anywhere, though the events might have been run off more punctually had the stewards kept the ground clear from the on-look-ers, who persisted in crowding around the competitors and thus occasioned considerable delay in starting the various events. One rather disappointing feature was the smallness of the fields that faced the starter in the Hurdle Race, the Polo Cup, and the Steeplechase. In none of these events did more than four horses compete, and this is mainly due to the fact that the horse which carried off first honours in all three events was not a real polo pony and has never scored a goal. During the past season Wee Tottie was on the field only once or twice, but for several weeks past she has been in the hands of a professional trainer picking up form for these events. It cannot be expected that genuine polo ponies will be able to hold their own with trained racehorses, and consequently owners will not enter their ponies to compete with trained horses. It is to be hoped that such unfairness will be checked in the future, as little things like this greatly tend to lessen the interest in sports. The arrangements of the sports were in the hands of the following officials:—Presidents, Dr. A. C. Purchas and Air T. Cotter; vice-presidents, Messrs W. R. Bloomfield, H. O. Nolan, F. Earl, and T. Finlayson; stewards, Dr. Maitland, Messrs W. B. Eloyd, W. Clark, A. McCosh Clark, E. B. Simpson, C. E. Purchas, M. H. Wynyard, H. T. Gorrie, H. C. Tonks. A. Hanna, E. G. Elliot, R. B. Lockhart, C. F. Buddle, R. 11. Wynyard, T. Alorrin, jun., L. Meredith, K. Hume, W. Percival, 11. Crowther, H. Cotter, and captains of visiting teams, Captain O’Brien and officers of Ninth Contingent; judge. Mr Thomas Morrin; clerk of scales, Air H. O. Nolan; clerk of the course, Air T. Brown; starter, Air H. T. Gorrie; timekeeper, Mr Prince; hon. secretary, Mr Robert Burns.

On Friday evening* the members of the Auckland and Remuera Polo Clubs gave a most pleasant water picnic to the members of the visiting- teams and a number <of ladies and gentlemen. The p.s. Eagle was engaged for the occasion, and shortly after eight o’clock left the Queenstreet Wharf on a circuit of the harbour and Rangitoto Channel. The night was beautifully calm and warm, making the open-air excursion extremely pleasant. Hunter's band was in attendance, playing selections during the evening, and dancing on the deck was indulged in. Supper was provided in the cabin. The party reached the wharf on the return trip shortly after eleven, and all expressed themselves pleased with the evening's amusement.