POLO.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1925, Page 1

POLO.

X.Z. TEAM BEATEN. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION* SYDNEY. May 17. The tournament- for the Australasian Polo Gup Challenge Trophy, presented by R. T. Melrose and A. Hordern for competition between four of the Australian States ami New Zealand began on the Kensington race course yesterday. The weather was uttpropitious. Rain lell tin* previous night, and throughout the day. making the ground .sloppy and slippery, and preventing the players from getting a proper hold of their sticks. There, were several falls, O Nelson. Number 2 man in the Dominion team, went down in the first ehukka, and again in the second, tDo latter iall shaking hint so much that he was compelled to retire. N. Campbell (reserve) taking his place. The opening match was the New South Wales Red Team against New Zealand. Owing to the dangerous condition of the ground, the second match New South Wales Whites versus I ictoria was postponed. In the first ehukka. .1. Lyons (No I; secured first blood lor the visitors, hul within it couple ot minutes New South Wales equalised with a score just at the close of the term. In the second ehukka. New South Wales added a couple of goals, their potties appearing the faster, and their combination superior to that oi the New Zealanders. The third ehukka produced four more New South Wales’ goals, while the New Zealand score remained unaltered. In the fourth ehukka the visitors livened up, after some fine plav, W. A. MaeKenzie (hack) scored hut New South Wales lidded two more goals, making the scores !! to 2. The remainder of the game was played iu a downpour, which drove the spectators to shelter. The New Zealanders defended well under the very difficult conditions, hut they could not prevent their opponents from piling up points. In the final ehukka Lyons placed allot her goal to the visitors’ credit. The game ended; New South Wales 1 5 ; New Zealand J.

The visitors were obviously outpaced hv ilie local players, whose constant practice and participation in competitions had perfected their eombiuation. The New Zealanders were unfortunate iu striking such wretched weather, toil the\ are bound to show considerably improved form in the next contest. Nelson’s fall was not serious.