POLO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2133, 6 March 1908, Page 3

POLO.

EAST COAST POLO ASSOCIATION. ANN UAL TOU RN AMENI'. The annual tournament of the East Const- Polo Association was commenced in Mr. G. Witters’ paddock, just beyond the Kin-ora Dairy Factory, at Mnkauri, yesterday afternoon. There was a large and fashion d>le attendance, including many ladies. The ground was in capital order, and, fringed with willow trees, presented a picturesque sight, with the many carriages and motor cars lined up in front ol the large marquee, which acted as a pavilion. 1 lie arrangements tor the tournament were most complete, and reflected credit on Mr. AY. G. Shcrrutt, the lion, secretary, who was assisted by :i strong committee. The championship competition was commenced at a quarter to 2, when Poverty Bay .No. I team met Poverty Bay No. 11. The teams were constituted as tollows: i No. t. (blue ami while): E. Alonekton I. T. Sherratt 2, li. Sherratt 3, J. R. Murphy (b iek). No. 11. (vellow and black): C. Gray 1, J. Monckton 2, G. Black 3, K. Gillingham (back). Messrs. Svdnev Williamson and W • G.' Sherratt acted as umpires, and Air E. R. Mimiliv as timekeeper. In the first spell, J. R. Murphy was absent, ami the No. 1. team phi veil with three men only. Despite this hearv handicap, the brothers (Sherratt and E. Monckton, by strong ami accurate hitting and good combination, more than held their own, and put on three goals to nil. lhe Blierratts were in capital form, and their hitting, stopping, 'and horsemanship were first-class. In the second spell, “with j. R. Alurphy in his place, No. I. ran over their opponents, and piled on six goals to nil.’ The combination of No. I. was far superior, and their hitting more powerful and better directed. G. Black played well in this spell. He rarely missed a ball, and j his riding olf was of a high standard. Gillingham also put in a lot of line work at back, but the opposition was too strong. In the third spell the pla*- was more even, Gray and J. Monckton performing well, while G. Black and Gillingham both played a strong game. However, No. I. were not to be denied, and they put on throe more goals before tile spell muled. Randall Sherratt did a brilliant piece of individual work in this spell, which wis worth going a long way to see. Receiving the ball from J. R. Murphy, he took it more than half the length of the field, and shot a goal with a magnificent stroke, which soared high and travelled fairly between the posts. The fourth spell was most stubbornly contested", and saw quick changes from one end of the field to the other. The only score was a goal by Randall Sherratt, from a good pass bv E. Monckton.

About this time rain set in, and a prolonged downpour drove the spectators to the shelter of the pavilion. The No. I. quartette gave a brilliant display in the fifth spell. They sot the pace a cracker, and their horsemanship and hitting were perfect. They piled on seven goals in this >-,;. .'l. Every man scored. The No. It. were not playing at all badly, but their opponents were at the top of their form.

lu the sixth and - final spell No. I. put on three more goals, thus winning by 23 goals to nil.

MANGAHEIA NO. I. v. AYAIAPU. The second game was between Alangaheia No. I. and Waiapu. The teams took the field as under: Alangaheia No. I. (green and white): R. K. Murphy 1, R. G. Black 2, G. M. Reynolds 3, and R. C. Alurphy (back). Waiapu (red and white): A. B. Williams 1, G. Busby 2, K. S. Williams 3, It. G. Saxby (back). The game was started in drenching rain. The Waiapu team were splendidly mounted, but the Mangaheia four counterbalanced this by excellent riding and forceful hitting. A very even snell produced but one score. Towards the close, Sa-xbv hit a strong backhander, which Busby took on to A. B. Williams, who was playing strongly at No. 3. K. S. Williams rode of the Mangaheia, back, which enabled Busby to scoro from a good pass- . . At this stage ram set in so heavily that “it was decided to abandon play for the day, and players and spectators wended their way homewards in a heavy downpour. Afternoon tea was dispensed by Alesdames Williamson. AY. G. Sherratt, and J. R. Murphy. The tournament will be continued to-dav if weather permits, and will last until the middle of next week. The Mangaheia No. 11. team is as follows: —D. H. Hawkins 1, R- Black 2, J. Rutledge 3, L. Rutledge (back).