Polo Tournament.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 217, 16 March 1897, Page 2

Polo Tournament.

.«. MANAWATU WINS THE CUP. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, March 15. In the last heat for the Saville Cup Manawatu defeated Christchurch by 6 goals to 3. Manawatu has now won the Cup three years in succession. The match was keenly contested, but in the last 20 minutes Manawatu proved far too good for their opponents and won by six goals to three. The ground was in splendid order. Manawatu won the toss, and played with tho sun behind their backs. The ball being thrown in, Christchurch got possession and forced Mauawatu. Soon afterwards Baker, by a good rush, carried the ball down, and Snow scored for Manawatu, making the game even. Interesting play followed, when the bell rang and the teams changed ends. On the game resuming, S. Beunett showed some good play, after which Mcßae did some brilliant hitting, and Lane centering the ball, S. Bennett, amidst applause, at a difficult angle hit the ball against the goal posts, rebounding iv. Lane hit out and Manawatu got possession, ultimately Lloyd put the ball through the posts. Scores : Christ church 2 goals, Manawatu 2 goals. A couple of minutes after the ball was again thrown in Christchurch was forced by a good bit by Baker. Some exciting hitting followed on the part of Baker, one of his strokes lifting the ball 100 yards. Lane also displayed some beautiful bitting, and drove the ball to the Manawatu goal, but failed to score. Scrums in front of the goal followed, and eventually Snow worked the ball down to Christchurch territory and scored. Soon afterwards Snow again cleverly put the ball between the posts, increasing Manawatu's score to four goals. Some exciting play followed, in which Manawatu had the best of it, Baker eventually scoring. The ball was thrown out, and Christchurch once more had hard luck in not scoring, Lane just missing the posts. Brilliant play and a beautiful run on the part of Bennett enabled tbe substitute to score for Christchurch. Scores : Manawatu 5 goals, Christchurch 3 goals. Ponies were again changed, Bennett returning amidst applause. In the next spell Baker and Mcßae did some strong hitting, and Christchurch were twice forced. Baker got away with tbe ball, and had bad luck in just missing the posts. Manawatu had all the best of the luck. Good hitting ensued on both sides in the centre of the field, and the game ended — Manawatu 6 goals, Christchurch 3 goals. The Manawatu team was — F. S. McRae 1, A. S. Baker 2, F. P. Snow 3, W.