WON BY HIKUTAIA

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32410, 22 March 1944, Page 3

WON BY HIKUTAIA

morrinsville beaten POLO MATCH PLAYED GAME FOR SET OF STICKS A close and interesting game was seen at Mr A. Duncan’s paddock when Morrinsville and Hikutaia A playedt, for a set of sticks, Hikutaia being the winners on handicap by 11 goals to 9. It was a good fast game with both sides scoring freely, Morrinsville showing up well for their long, clean hitting, while in every other way the teams were well matched. F, Klaus was once again behind Morrinsville team and his presence made a big difference to both that team’s play and to the game generally. Of the other three players for Morrinsville A. Elliott was the most outstanding while for Hikutaia all members did their bit, with perhaps R. Henry being most noticeable. The teams were: — Morrinsville (handicap 11). —F. Klaus (4), R. Eliott (3), C. McCulloch (2), J. Elliott (1). Hikutaia A (handicap 6). —A. Boyce (4), R. Henry (3), C. Murdock (2), G. Flavell (1). Referee, Mr M. Fitzgerald; scorer and timekeeper, Mr D. Healey. Play At Fast Pace The first chukka was started at a fast pace by Morrinsville who quickly took the ball to their goal mouth. A. Elliott attempted to goal but missed and Hikutaia cleared, Boyce and Henry defending well, but Klaus brought play back and J. Elliott got away to score with a nice stroke from a good angle. From the throw-in Morrinsville again took possession, J. Elliott and A. Elliott hitting out well for F. Klaus to goal easily in front of the goalmouth. •Henry then got away for Hikutaia with long hard hitting but , was returned by A. Elliott. Boyce intercepted well but McCullough picked the ball up from him and passed to Klaus who got away and after a good run down the field passed to J. Elliott who for the second time scored for his side. The throw-in saw Henry and Boyce clearing the ball well for Hikutaia, Henry taking the ball forward with nice clean hits and placed it well for Murdock to score Hikutaia’s first goal of the day just before time with a long hit in front of the goal. This had been Morrinsville’s chukka, Hikutaia did not seem able to settle down. Morrinsville 3, Hikutaia 1. The second chukka opened at a fast pace, Morrinsville gaining the ball from the throw-in and (Klaus, was again away but Boyce intercepted well but Klaus came again and' looked dangerous but G. Flavell cleared nicely, then A. Elliott gathered in the ball and sent Hikutaia back, but before he was within scoring distance Flavell with a fine backhand cleared and sent Henry and Murdock away. Henry gqt very near to scoring but the ball went out of play. Morrinsville then got possession and A. Elliott was away, hitting long sure hits and F. Klaus following tried to goal but missed. Both Teams Playing Well Both teams were now going well. J. Elliott secured at the throw-in and' passed) to A. Elliott and McCullough but Henry picked' the ball up off their toes, sent out to C. Murdock, then /co Boyce who just missed goaling. Miirdoek then returned the ball to play and Flavell goaled well. Flavell took the ball at the throwin, taking it well up the field', passed to Henry who shot for goal at a hard angle and missed. Morrinsville tried hard to gain control but Hikutaia was pressing hard at their own goal mouth and Murdock and) Flavell' had each another shot at goal, Murdock taking a long hit from well out which just stopped short of goal and Elliott cleared well, but Henry brought his team back but G. Flavell just missed and the bell saw the score:— y Morrinsville 3, Hikutaia 2. This was Hikutaia’s chukka. The third chukka was fast and interesting, J. and Ag. Elliott being outstanding for theiiiuong hitting. Morrinsville secured ||he ball, J. Elliott taking it and then passing out t«o A. Elliotb to McCullough and Klaus also joined in quickly. J. Elliott tried to goal but the ball went wide. J R. Henry and Boyce cleared well and a good rush by Henry, Flavell and Murdock took play to the other end of the where Henry picked up the ball nicely and scored. Murdock got, his team away at the half-way, Boyc*e joined in and Henry

once again connected well and from well out scored again with a very high ball. Morrinsville Take Charge Morrinsville now took charge and ’ powerful hits by F. Klaus and the Elliott brothers soon had Hikutaia on the defensive but although Morrinsville had several chances to score they could not finish off and Henry cleared from the ruck for Boyce to pick up. F. Klaus was again .as usual waiting to turn Hikutaia back but Murdock cleared for Hikutaia and good work by Flavell and Henry once more gave Hikutaia chances to score but they missed. " A. Elliott got Morrinsville away and with powerful hits the whole team returned to their goal mouth and things looked dangerous, Morrinsville seeming as if they must score but Henry cleared well from in front of the goal and hit out and time was called. Morrinsville 3, Hikutaia 4. The fourth chukka was played at a slower pace, Hikutaia getting away well from the first throw-in, Henry, Murdock and Boyce clearing and handling the ball well and looked' like scoring quickly, but Boyce just hit a bit wide. A. Elliott placed well for Klaus to get away and Morrinsville should have scored but fumbled the ball and Boyce and' Flavell were again away. Boyce followed through well but Murdock missed an easy shot and the whole Morrinsville team was away in a flash for Klaus' to score with little opposition with a beautiful long hit. Klaus secured from J. Elliott and was soon away again but Flavell rode him off the ball for Murdock and Henry to transfer the play further, up-field, but Morrinsville were not to be denied and A. Elliott and J. Elliott got the ball away and Klaus scored again. Scrappy Play After scrappy play Boyce got away and took a good shot at goal which was just too short. Klaus cleared and R. Elliott with a great hit brought play back to half-way but Murdock got in a good back-hand and Flavell followed-up well and passed to Boyce who goaled. nicely with a neat backhand hit. Morrinsville 5, Hikutaia 5. The fifth chukka saw Morrinsville definitely on top, Klaus proving a great captain and got his team going well from the opening whistle. A. Elliott received the ball from J. Elliott then passed again to J. Elliott who got away by himself and with powerful long hits scored. Murdock cleared for Hikutaia but A. Elliott quickly intercepted and got J. Elliott away again to score.

Long, accurate hits by Klaus were opening up the game and putting Morrinsville in the position for scoring all this chukka and although Hikutaia defended well Morrinsville were not to be denied and R. Elliott got away on his own and scored for his team. Morrinsville 8, Hikutaia 5. The final chukka produced very good fast polo with Hikutaia able to score again and keep Morrinsville in hand enough so that they could not make up their handicap. This chukka was not so full of incident as previous ones as both sides kept the game tight and neither looked like scoring As frequently as earlier in/the match. f Solid Defence •' Hikutaia got the ball away well to begin with but Klaus soon brought it back but solid defence by Henry did not let them far. The Elliott brothers then took a hand and another score for Morrinsville looked sure when Murdock cleared to Flavell and Boyce brought the ball on for Henry to pick up beautifully at about halfway and score. Play was then up and down with each side defending well when Klaus broke away, passed to A. Elliott who raced away and scored a last-minute goal for Morrinsville. Time saw the score:— Morrinsville 9, Hikutaia fl. Final score.—Hikutaia 11, Morrinsville 9.