WON BY HIKUTAIA

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32405, 10 March 1944, Page 5

WON BY HIKUTAIA

BUCHANAN CUP POLO THREE-DAY TOURNAMENT VERY SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION The Hikutaia Polo Club’s three-day tournament held at Mr A. Duncan’s paddock, which commenced, on Friday last, was ‘brought to a close on Sunday in fine weather, before a large number of spectators and although such unfortunate weather conditions prevailed on Saturday, that all matches had to be cancelled, the tournament proved! most successful, all games as set down being played. The president, Mr Geo. Avery, the secretary Mr J. Goonan, Mr A. Duncan, the committee and all helpers responsible for Hikutaia’s first large tournament are to be congratulated on their efforts. The wet weather on Saturday was disappointing to players as well as spectators as many had travelled long distances to compete and after having Friday’s matches for both horses and players to settle down to the local field and conditions both the public and! competitors were looking forward to a great day of the popular sport. Six Teams Compete Six teams were entered in the tournament, which was a knock-out one:—Pukekawa “A”, Pukekawa “B”, Clevedon, Morrinsville, Hikutaia’ “A” and Hikutaia “B”. The trophy which was played for was the Buchanan Cup which was held by the Hikutaia Club and Hikutaia “A” once more proved their ability in tournament matches by retaining the trophy, defeating Clevedon in the final game. Most of the visiting ponies were of a very high standard and it was a treat to horse lovers to see them in action. There were approximately 100 horses in use during the tournament. The standard of play throughout was a high one, being well up to expectations, fast, open polo being seen particularly on the final day when the field was widened to give the players more room to work in. Except for a slight accident sustained by C. Murdock on the first day nothing of this nature marred the play throughout. Welcome To Visitors One of the most noticeable features of the tournament was the splendid sporting manner in which all the matches were played. A most successful dance was held on Friday evening to entertain the I visitors and refreshments were served I at the field each day by a band of willing helpers. At the conclusion of the tournament Mi* G. Avery, president of the Hikutaia Club, extended a welcome to both the players and the many spectators present and said he felt the tournament had been a fine one for a first one. He thanked all the visiting players for having attended and said that the club owed a special debt of gratitude to the Pukekawa, Morrinsville and Clevedon teams for having ridden so far to take part. Continuing, Mr Avery said all owed a debt of gratitude to all the boys overseas, among them several local polo players, as it was their efforts there, that made it possible to hold tournaments such as this.

Presentation of Cup Mr Avery then thanked the referees, field officials, Mr Duncan and the ladies for their assistance and congratulated the Hikutaia team on its success in holding the Buchanan Cup for the fourth time in succession and all the competing teams on their good! exhibitions of the game and the fine spirit in which the matches were played. Mr Avery then presented Mr A. Boyce, captain of the Hikutaia team, with the cup and called' for three cheers for the winning team. Mr Boyce replied on behalf of his team and thanked all the visiting teams for coming to the tournament. The match they had just played, he said, had been a great game played in a most sporting manner. Mr Boyce then called upon all present to give three cheers for the visiting players. Mr W. Pugh, captain of the Clevedon team, Mr 0. Lindberg for Pukekawa and Mr McCulloch for Morrinsville, on behalf of their respective teams, thanked the Hikutaia Club for the good; games they had 1 had and for the great hospitality they had received during the week-end. Mr Lindberg called upon the visitors to give three cheers for Hikutaia. The officials for the tournament games were:—-Referees, Messrs M. Fitzgerald and W. Green; scorers and timekeepers, Messrs D. Healey and P. Henry. All games were five

chukkas of eight minutes each. The following players took part in the tournament: — Clevedon.—(4) B. Cossy, (3) T. Patton, (2) H. Whitford, (1) W. Pugh. Pukekawa “A”.—(4) B. Marshall, (3) T. McGuire, (2) 0. Lindberg, (1) J. Walter. Pukekawa “B”. —(4) R> McGuire, (3) N. Allen, (2) L. McGuire, (1) R. McGuire. Morrinsville. —(4) A. Elliott, (3) J. .Smith (Clevedon), (2) C. McCulloch, (1) J. Elliott. Hikutaia “A”.—(4) A. Boyce, (3) R. Henry, (2) Cedric Murdock, (1) G. Flavell. Hikutaia “B” — (4) G. Davis and B. Alley, (3) I. Clark, (2) 0. Young, (1) C. Hunter and T. Pentali. THE FIRST GAMES PLAY ON FRIDAY The opening game of the tournament was 'between Clevedon (handicap 8 4/7 goals) and Pukekawa “A” (handicap 7 6/7 goals). This proved a most enjoyable game to watch, both teams having good ponies, and although not so open as some of the later matches it produced interesting polo. These two teams play quite a different type of polo and when Clevedon finished 1 the winners, each team having scored three goals each, the deciding factor in their favour was their excellent team work. Outstanding players for the winners were Pug’h and! Cossey; for Pukekawa, Lindberg and T. Mc’Guire. Scorers were: Clevedon, Pugh 2, Patton 1; Pukekawa, Marshall 1, T. GcGuire 1, Lindberg 1. Final score: Clevedon 3 2/7 goals, Pukekawa 3 goals. The second game on Friday was between Hikutaia “B” (2 6-7 goals) and Morrinsville (8 4/7 goals). This was the most surprising game of the whole tournament, Hikutaia “B” producing the form to beat Morrinsville without any help from their handicap. Certainly Morrinsville were without the services of F. Klaus and had to play a strange player hut this does not detract from the good performance put up by all the Hikutaia juniors, of which 0. Young •played the outstanding game. Hikutaia scored! three times to Morrinsville’s two, leaving the final score Hikutaia 8 5/7, Morrinsville 2. Scorers were:—Hikutaia (Clark 1, Young 1, G. Davis 1). Morrinsville, A. Elliott 2. Fast, Open Game The third game was, Hikutaia “A” (handicap 4 2/7), v. Pukekawa “B” (handicap 7 6/7). This was a good, fast, open game with Hikutaia just too good for the Pukekawa players. Nice clean hitting by Pukekawa was as> usual a feature of their play. Early in the first spell C. Murdock had to leave the field and his place was taken for the rest of the match by O. Young who for a junior player made a very good showing and was on the day quite up to senior standard. All Pukekawa team played well while for Hikutaia Boyce was perhaps the best of the other three, but all played solid games. The game finished with the score: Hikutaia 5, Pukekawa 3. Final: Hikutaia 8 4/7 goals, Pukekawa 3.

Scorers were:—Hikutaia, Henry 2, Flavell 1, Young 1, Boyce 1. Pukekawa “B”, L. McGuire 3.

FINAL DAY INTERESTING POLO The first match of the final day was Pukekawa “B” v. Hikutaia “B”. Pukekawa carried a handicap of 7 6/7 goals and Hikutaia, 2 6/7 goals. The game was a much closer one than was expected, Hikutaia’s play once again surprising, both teams kept the ball moving and a fairly even game resulted, both sides scored 3 goals each, thus leaving Hikutaia the winners the final score being 8 goals to 3. In the first chukka both teams were inclined to bunch too much but Allen for Pukekawa succeeded 1 on several occasions to open play up and! in one good run just failed to score for his team. At the bell neither teams had scored l . The second chukka saw Pukekawa take the ball right from the first throw-in and throughout were definitely on top, all players doing their bit and although both sides scored it was Pukekawa’s chukka and good hitting by 0. Young for Hikutaia was the only thing in their favour. Score: Pukekawa 1 (scorer N. Allen), Hikutaia 1 (scorer (I. Clark). Good Riding The third chukka was much tighter and good riding off by both sides was a feature, N. Allen and L. CeGuire showing up well for Pukekawa both in attack and defence. I Clark and 0. Young saved well for Hikutaia. Score: Pukekawa 2 (N. Allen 1), Hikutaia 1. The fourth chukka started slowly, F. McGuire picking up with a nice back-hand from 0. Young and Puke-

kawa team raced away with the ball for Allen to score from a handy position. Hikutaia was now defending well, taking no chances and’ B. Alley rode off well and I Clark placed the ball in a handy position for scoring but no one was near and L. McGuire cleared well but Hikutaia was Returned to the attack by Hunter and from the ruck at the goal-mouth 0. Young scored, making the score: Pukekawa 3 (scorer Allen 1), Hikutaia 2(scorer 0. Young 1). The final chukka was the best one of the match, both sides playing good open polo and longer hitting was seen. Only one score was registered when 0. Young cleared nicely near half-way, Pentail picking it up well. Hikutaia was well down near their solidly and looked like clearing when goal and Pukekawa was defending they fumbled and Hunter scored from close in. Score: Pukekawa 3, Hikutaia 3 (Hunter). For Hikutaia 0. Young played splendid polo and of the other three C. Hunter was most noticeable. For Pukekawa N. Allen was outstanding while L. McGuire often caught the eye.

Pukekawa Beat Morrinsville The second game was between Pukekawa “A” (handicap 7 6/7 goals) and Morrinsville (handicap 8 4/7 goals). This game was good, fast polo, quite up to tournament standard and although Pukekawa ran out easy winners the game was not so uneven. as the score indicates. For the winners the captain, 0. Lindberg was noticed fox- his scoring ability and good attacking play while B. Marshall at 4 was outstanding in defence and accurate hitting. T. McGuire played his best in the first three chukkas while J. Walter though not so outstanding as the other three played well. For Morrinsville the Elliott brothers showed up most. 0. McCulloch did not play up to standard and as F. Klaus was unable to play J. Smith of Clevedon took his place and found it hard to find form with strange players. First Chukkas The first chukka opened well and fast polo was played throughout, both sides having several chances to score. As the game passed quickly from one end of the field to the other, both sides were placing the ball well and making good attacking rushes. J. and A. Elliott were, seen to good advantage while McGuire and Lindberg lost no chances and were rewarded when McGuire placed the ball well into the centre at half-way, Lindberg and Walter both connected and Lindberg carried it on to score with a long hit from well out. Quickly Morrinsville opened, when A. Elliott scored for his team from a well placed ball by J. Elliott. The score at the bell was Pukekawa 1 (scorer 0. Lindberg), Morrinsville (scorer A. Elliott). The second chukka saw Pukekawa hitting out well and Morrinsville was soon in trouble, Lindberg and McGuire sending their team away from half-way with long, powerful hits. B. Marshall joined' in and scored from a good angle. From a throw-in Walter cleared well for Pukekawa but A. Elliott brought it back but short hitting by Morrinsville let Pukekawa away again and 0. Lindberg scored their

second goal of the chukka. Morrinsville took possession at the throw-in

and had several chances at scoring but every attempt went wide. At the bell the scoring was: Pukekawa (Marshall 1, Lindberg 1), Morrinsville 1. Pukekawa Play Well The third chukka was very open and fast but Pukekawa was definitely the better team all through, their placing and clean hitting being a feature of the chukka. B. Marshall was most outstanding for his sound play and it was from a good run by him that 0. Lindberg was able to score once again for Pukekawa. After a short spell of scrappy play at half-way Morrinsville looked like getting away, but Marshall picked up the ball with a great backhand and passed on to 0. Lindberg who with a series of beautiful drives outstripped the field and scored. No further score was made and at the end of the spell the score was: Pukekawa 5 berg 2), Morrinsville 1.

The fourth chukka opened more slowly, but soon both sides were hitting 1 the ball about freely but Morrinsville could not score and Lindberg again added to Pukekawa’s total. Scores: Pukekawa 6 (Lindberg 1), Morrinsville 1.

The final chukka was played at a fast pace, A. and J. Elliott doing everything to add to Morrinsville’s score but Pukekawa was too strong in defence and scored again when a good drive by Lindberg from half-way was beautifully backhanded by T. McGuire to B. Marshall who scored from a good angle. No further scoring took place and the match ended: Pukekawa 7 (Marshall lj, Morrinsville 1. 'Final score: (Pukekawa “A”, 7 5/7; Morrinsville 1. Hikutaia Meet Clevedon

The final of the tournament for the Buchanan trophy was played between Clevedon and Hikutaia “A” and proved a fast and) interesting game but not so full of incident as the previous' game. Clevedon carried a handicap of 8 4/7 goals and Hikutaia 4 2/7. Hikutaia set a very fast pace from the beginning but were inclined to play scrappy polo in the first chukka. They then settled down and though throughout they did not always mark their men they played fast bustling polo and did not give Clevedon an opportunity to settle down l to the solid team work which had helped that team to beat Pukekawa “A.” on the previous day. For the winners A. Boyce (captain), Cedric Murdock and R. Henry were right on form while G. Flavell after playing one very good chukka did not show up as much as usual. For Clevedon W. Pugh (captain), played an excellent game, making

openings for his team time after time but they could not seem to get going. B. .Cossy did not play his fine game of the previous day. T. Patton was as usual very sound but H. Whitford seemed to find the pace too fast. Opening Chukka The first chukka started with each team making mistakes when out of scrappy play a poor hit by Clevedon left an opening for G. Flavell to get smartly away andl score nicely for Hikutaia. The chukka finished with both sides playing good tight polo. Hikutaia 1 (Flavell), Clevedon 0. In the second chukka Hikutaia opened up the play more with good hitting- and fast riding and quickly looked like scoring again but Pugh cleared with a long, clean hit and Clevedon were away and took the ball to their goal mouth but Hikutaia was too solid and Murdock cleared to Henry who went away to score. Time saw the score: Hikutaia 2 (Henry 1), Clevedon 0. Fast Play The third and fourth chukkas were very evenly contestedi, Clevedon playing their best polo in these two; playpassed quickly up and down the field and both sides rode off well. Pugh was particularly outstanding in these chukkas and Cossy showed some of his previous form when he returned Hikutaia several times with difficult clearing shots. Henry and Murdock showed up well in attack for Hikutaia while Boyce at 4 played solidly. Murdock scored for Hikutaia but the goal was disallowed and both chukkas ended without score. Hikutaia 2, Clevedon 0. Hikutaia Dominate The final chukka saw Hikutaia have things mostly their own way, Clevedon horses and players seeming to be tired. C. Murdock scored from a nice angle for Hikutaia and then Clevedon surprised, Pugh getting them away well and after a good forward rush by the whole team' B. Cossey l goaled nicely to give them their only score of the game. Hikutaia quickly retaliated when C. Murdock again scored from close in at goal and the final bell ended the tournament with the home team the winners. Hikutaia, 4 goals (C. Murdock 2), Clevedon 1 (B. Cossey). Final score: Hikutaia 82/7 goals, Clevedon 1. Scorers were: Hikutaia (Murdock 2, Henry 1, Flavell 1); Clevedon (Cossey 1).