OROUA DEFEATS MANAWATU.

Manawatu Herald, 26 March 1898, Page 2

OROUA DEFEATS MANAWATU.

GAME 6 TQ 4. The game between the Manawatu and Oroua teams tor the Cup proved a great attraction, and the lovers of genuine polo were not disappointed. The game wafe as _ai_ a contest Ai could be witnessed between the splendid teams. They started away as the ball was sent out by the referee and the game never flagged for one moment until time was called, when Oroua had scored 6 to Manawatu's 4^ The result seemed decidedly popular and was taken in the heartiest good spirit by the losers, who gave hearty cheers for the conquerors. As the Manawatu's have held the Cup for the past three years it is only in the ordinary fitness of things that they should be called upon to relinquish it now, to a really excellent team by whom it Was no disgrace to be beaten. j THE PLAY. I The game opened very fast and eaoh side waa not long in securing a goal, the first going to the credit of Ortraa, J. Strang taking advantage of a free hit aooorded. ' Ai S. Baker made some exoellent play in the next spell and sifter taking the ball away by a splendid drive scoured the return for Manawatn. A lengthy spell of play ensued, the Manawatu goal being hardly pressed and on several occasions being saved by the bst of play. Strang was always on the ball for the Oroua's and this is not surprising ffa three toothers of that name were in the team, the honours perhaps being more equally divided by J. and A. S rang, whose pay was moat ably backed up by 0. Bobinson and W. Strang. A series of rashes took place, the ball, after a fine stroke by Bobinson, being taken all round the field, and a grand rnn down to the Manawatu 'goal proved moat exciting. A free hit was given for Manawatu and Snow made a grand drive, a mere shave for a goal resulting ; the whistle sounded, and after the spell hot play was made by the Manawatu near the Oropa goal, and the ball was put behind. On the hit off Oroua took charge and the ball was put down to the east where a regular melee eventuated. - Snow's stopping was a great feature of the game here, ahd Lloyd was playing excellently. The Oroua's were being hard pressed, and a goal was only averted by Strang hitting the ball behind. Af er another spell one of the finest bits of play was seen, the play being in the Manawatu's goal, the ball being sent down the field in a fine rush, Giesen nearly scoring a goal for Manawatu, and shortly afterwards Baker managed to drive the ball between the post., making the game 2 aU. The next few goals were taken at a much faster pace, Orona, after a most exciting run right down the field scoring another goal, the ball being really knocked in by one of the Manawatu men. After a few behind hits in the next spell J. Strang scored another goal for Oroua bringing the score to Oroua 4, Manawatu 2. During the next spell a slight collision occurred, J. Strang getting slightly hurt. A free hit was accorded and out of this A. Strang Bcored a goal for Oroua, and yet again another goal was to fall to the prowess of the Oroua men, for after a grand display J. Strang put a ball well through. The pace during the next bout was as fast as it oould well be, Strang's driving and Snow's stopping being worth recording. A. Strang again got the ball away, bat at the pace made he missed the ball, and Repeated rashes by the Manawatu's appeared to avert disaster. A. Strang was not to be denied however, and after a grand rush secured the full soore for Oroua — 6. The Manawatu's now took heart of grace, and after some most exciting play from an exceedingly fine drive by Snow a goal was secured for the Manawatu, a welcome ohange. The Oroua made the next spell of play extremely warm for their opponents, J Sirang and Bobinson showing ap well at every point of vantage, tbe latter juat before the bell rang for the sixth spell, making a beautiful drive right down the ground only missing the post by a foot.

On the bell ringing, Manawatu played well and a grand three minutes sport resulted. Their goal was hardly pressed and Lloyd saved on two or three oeoasions by fine judgement. The ball was next -down to the Orona goal when some grand defence was seen, J Strang working terrible hard, bnt Snow managed by a good drive to make another goal for Manawatu, the score being Oroua 6, Manawatu 4. Manawatu attacked their opponent's goal, when Bobinson's defence could hardly be excelled, and the ball was returned. A big bid was now made by Baker for another goal, who ran his opponent off in grand form, and on a quick return took the ball down to the Oroua goal but mißsed by a hair's breadth. A cross occurred and a free but was given to Manawatu, the ball being right in front of the goal, but it was' well stopped. The ball was being run up to the Manawatu goal by Strang when it was cleverly stopped by Lloyd, and the bell ringing the match was over. •

The teams were : — Oboua — A. Stntag, J. Strang, O. Bobinson and W. Strang. Manawatu — P. Giesen, A. S. Baker, F. P. Snow and W. Lloyd.

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