THE POLO FIELD

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 20, 8 February 1937, Page 8

THE POLO FIELD

Stirring Play Seen on Saturday TOURNAMENT TRIALS (Notes By "Chukkah.") Stirring polo was witnessed by the large number of people who attended the second trials held at the Race- ' course on Saturday afternoon. With ! the tournament drawing near and ponies and players Teaching peak form the public may look forward to polo of a high standard. Eacb game on Saturday was played at break-neck speed and there were many thrilling moments as the players swept from one end of the field to the other. Many playere calry marks of the day's play but serious accidents were avoided by very sound horsemanship. The ground was playing much faster than on the previous Saturday and it will become faster yet and should be in tip-top order in March. Gomment must be made on Sam Gatenby's brilliant run in the fourteenth game. Making his 0wn opening he carried play right to the opponents' line and a certain goal was averted only by sound defensive play. A nice lesson in tactics and clean iiitting was given by that grand player, Fred MacKenzie. Always in the game and placing his shots to the best possible advantage, his play was a delight to watch. Neil Campbell gave a taste of the form expected from him. \ beautiful stylist is this player. A full comment on Saturday' s play will appear in Friday's issue of this paper. Next Saturday's trials are being looked forward to with keen anticipation as time is getting short and latest reports to hand state that the large number of teams coming to the tournament from all parts of the North Island are in excellent form. However, I predict that they will find Hawke's Bay, as usual^ a tough nut to crack. This province has a wonderful record in polo and has produced players of outstanding ability and this standard is being ably maintained by to-day' s players.