THE TOURNAMENT.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 347, 18 March 1897, Page 9

THE TOURNAMENT.

The tournament under the auspices of the New Zealand Polo Association was commenced on Wednesday, March 10th, at Potter’s Paddock. The game is popular in New Zealand, and certainly not more so than it deserves, for the successful exposition of polo requires on the part of the players the exhibition of skill, not only in playing the ball, but in riding and handling the ponies, which play such a prominent part in the game. Unfortunately, it is not within the means of the ordinary member of the community to become a polo player. Good ponies, as well as leisure time, are required, and good ponies are not kept and properly groomed without the expenditure of a considerable sum of money, and thus it is that the game is very much confined to what the hard citizen would describe the “ upper ten.” The weather this year was not favourable to the tournament, but nevertheless it was the means of bringing together a splendid lot of ponies, as well as dashing riders, who displayed both courage and skill. On Wednesday the weather was threatening, and had the effect of causing the attendance at Potter’s Paddock to be small, and this was especially noticeable with regard to the fair sex, who usually, by their presence, show how much they like to watch the movements of daring and graceful horsemen. And the latter, too, probably keenly relish the idea of the admiring eyes being upon them, and consequently become more daring and possibly less graceful. In the contest for the Savile Cup on Wednesday, Auckland was opposed by Oroua. Both teams were well mounted, and the exciting play which was witnessed showed how well they were matched. The aspect of the game chmged frequently, now one side having the advantage and then the other, but eventually Oroua pre-

vailed, scoring first goal, the honour of scoring being with Strang. On resuming, the play was very even, but eventually, through the agency of O’Rourke, Auckland scored. After the change of ponies Auckland became aggressive, but Oroua maintained a stout defence, and frequently placed the Aucklanders on the defensive, and eventually Robinson, who had been showing very fine play, scored the second goal for Oroua. The Aucklanders played with great heart, Tonks in particular doing good work, and finally, through the help of Gordon, Auckland’s second goal was registered, making the game once again level. Immediately afterwards Auckland very nearly scored again, but Oroua returned to the attack, and Strang scored the third goal for them. In this way the game continued, the teams getting goal about until the scores were 7 all. It was then nearly time, and although both sides strained every nerve to score they failed. This necesitated the sides playing on, and with a sudden dash the ball was carried forward and Strang scored the eighth and winning goal for Oroua. Every man on each side played well, and we give the names : —Oroua (maroon sash and cap) : O. Robinson 1, J. Strang 2, A. Strang 3, B. J. McLennan back. Auckland (crimson cap, chocolate olive green and crimson sash) : R. H. Wynyard 1, E. D. O’Rorke 2, H. C. Tonks 3, W. Gordon back.

In the match for the Junior Cup Auckland 11. were badly beaten by Wharerangi, the scores being—Wharerangi, 9 goals, Auckland IL, 2 The following were the teams : —Wharerangi: P. Dobbell 1, S. Bennett 2, C. Bennett 3, S. J. Bennett captain. Auckland: J. A. Hanna 1, C. Purchas 2, Elliott 3, J. Wynyard captain. Elliott was relieved by W. R. Bloomfield during the second spell.

On the second day the weather was gloriously fine, and the ladies showed their appreciation of the fact by turning out in large numbers. The game between Christchurch and Oroua for the Saville Cup was in a measure similar to that be-

I tween Auckland and Oroua on the first day, except that not so many goals were scored. The ! play from the start was very exciting, and the Christchurch team showed a lot of pace, and this enabled them to get their opponents into difficulties many times, but the Oroua representatives played gallantly, and they not only repelled the onslaughts made, but they frequently assailed their opponents’ citadel. The game was very fast, but neither side succeeded in scoring in the first twenty minutes. After an interval of five minutes play was resumed, and then through the combined play of Lane and S. Bennett the latter scored the first goal for Christchurch. Oroua played up after this, and McLennan scored for them, making the game once more equal. On resuming the game was still made very fast, and while all were playing well the Hon. Parker and Lane for Christchurch and the brothers Strang and McLennan for Oroua were the most conspicuous. It was a great battle, however, and the Hon. Parker scored second goal for Christchurch by a very fine hit. The Oroua side showed undeniable courage, and time after time they pressed Christchurch hard, and eventually they were rewarded, McLennan once more making the game even. A ding-dong battle for supremacy now ensued, but when time was sounded the scores were still equal. The teams, therefore, had to play on, and Christchurch getting the ball from the throw in rapidly forced it to the Oroua end, where Lane by a fine hit scored the third and victorious goal for Christchurch. The respective teams were as follows :—Christchurch : George Gould 1, S. Bennett 2, B. Lowe 3, Hon. E. W. Parker back. Oroua : O. Robinson 1, J. Strang 2, A. Strang 3, R. McLennan back. Manawatu and Rangitikei then met, but the first-named team soon took a strong lead, and within five minutes from the start of play they had scored two goals, the first being hit by Snow and the second by Baker. After this Rangitikei rallied and occasionally got the ball into the Manawatu quarters, but the latter showed much

better form than their opponents and eventually scored the third goal through the agency of Baker. In the second spell Rangitikei struggled hard, but the combination against them was too strong, and the fourth goal for Manawatu was credited to Snow. The fifth goal wat scored by Baker (who plays a brilliant game), the sixth by Snow, the seventh by Mcßae, and the eighth by Snow. Just before time Rangitikei scored a goal, and the game terminated in favour of Manawatu by eight goals to one. The respective teams were as under: —Manawatu : F. S. Macrae 1, A. S. Baker 2, Snow 3, W. Lloyd back. Rangitikei : W. Keeler 1, E. Keeler 2, V. Dalrymple 3, H. Wilson back.

Rain fell on Friday so constantly that the final for the Savile Cup between Christchurch and Manawatu could not be played, but on Monday the teams met at Potter’s Paddock, when fine weather was experienced for the final game, and those who were present in the expectation that there would be a good exhibition of polo were not disappointed. Christchurch were the first to assume the aggressive and served a goal, chiefly through the good play of Lane. The game was spiritedly contested, and Baker, by fine play, initiated an attack on the Christchurch goal, which ended in Snow scoring, and the game was 1 all. No further scores were recorded in the first ten minutes. On resuming Manawatu had the better of the play, but the Christchurch men played an excellent game, and frequently repulsed the attackers and drove them out of their territory, but, after a lot of give and take play, Christchurch once more got the lead by securing a second goal. Play was now pretty fast, but Manawatu, after being stopped several times, got the ball forward and Lloyd secured the goal, making the scores once more even, and this was not altered when half-time was called. On resuming Manawatu at once went away with the ball, but although they maintained a slight advantage, it was some time before Snow scored the third goal in their favour. After this Manawatu

continued to prevail, but Christchurch’s defence was very stubborn, and brilliant play frequently averted danger. Manawatu, however, were not to be denied, and the fourth and fifth goals (the latter cleverly made by Baker) were scored. Christchurch now rallied and played a plucky up-hill game, and doing all they could to avert the defeat that was stirring them in the face. After a spirited onset the efforts of Christchurch were rewarded by Bennett securing the third goal for them. From this out Manawatu had Christchurch in pretty constant trouble, but the latter played with great spirit. When time was called the scores were —Manawatu, 6; Christchurch, 3. The game was a thoroughly enjoyable one. The teams were the same as those which had previously represented the respective sides. The Saville Cup competitions were initiated in 1890 at Auckland, when Christchurch won. In the two following years Christchurch again won, the tournament on each occasion taking place at Christchurch. In 1893, at Auckland, Christchurch was again victorious, but, in the following year, at Wanganui, Rangitikei at last scored a victory In 1895, at Christchurch, Manawatu put in a successful and undeniable claim for the Cup, and have held it for three years in succession.

After the Manawatu match there was a pleasant re-union of polo players, who said pleasant things of one another. Mrs Dawson handed over the Saville Cup to Captain Baker, of the Manawatu team, and Captain Baker, on his part, spoke of the hospitality of Aucklanders, whereat everybody cheered. Then Captain Bennett, of the Wharerangi team, was made the recipient of the Junior Cup, and, as the lawyers would say, he corroborated the evidence of Captain Baker as to the hospitality of Aucklanders, and everybody cheered more than before. Then there was more cheering when Mi’ Morrin presented the very elegant cup to Mr Purchas, the owner of Chance It, the winner of the Polo Cup on Saturday, after which everybody gave cheers for everybody, and the tournament of 1897 was at an end.