POLO.

Manawatu Herald, 21 February 1899, Page 2

POLO.

OROUA v. RANGITIKEI. On Saturday afternoon a very interesting game of polo was played! between the Rangitikei and the Oroua Glabs on the Herrington ground. It was generally remarked' that no better game had been played this season, and only the match last season, between the Manawatu and the home team equalled it in in* t .>rest. The Rangitikei men included ooe of the old champions, Mr J, G. Wilson, who was ably seconded by his two sons and Mr Giesen. Age tells on all, and the younger Wilson's ware able to show more speed and energy, but science will always telL and some of the best of hits were to the record of Mr J. G. Wilson. TbieV ponies brought by the visitors were " particularly fast, and the best owned by the Oroua'g bad their work cat out for them. The game in every spell was a tremendously fust one, * and played with an araonnt of * go' that was very refreshing to witness. The Oroua's played a capital game < and won by five goals to two, but it was good to see that they had plenArifc* of work given them to aoore at aIT/^ The two backs of both teams were well selected as they rode fast ponies aod were sure hitters. They saved many a daogerou3 ball by their smartness and true bitting. The epells, curiously, were pretty well all tea minutes each, the ball going out of bounds just as the gong had sounded. The usual fine hittfng was missing on Saturday owing to the length of the grass on the ground, and it often happened that every man passed the ball striking at ie and missing. Mr A. Bill, another of the old champion team, umpired, to the satisfaction of the players. The first spell saw a goal gained by Oroua from a free hit. The second spell saw some grand battling at the Oroua'a goal, which finally resulted |in that team adding another goal to their score, In the third spell each team secured a goal. The fourth spoil was noted by Oroua again scoring one, which they repeated in the following spell. The list spell looked as though no score would be made, but just as time was up, Mr J. G. Wilson secured a goal forhissida by a free hit right in front of the goal posts. During one of the early spells Mr Giesen had the misfortune for his mare to break her off fore leg, wheiw being pulled up. It is the fortune oW war, but still every one regretted the loss this player received, as he is an enthusiast of the game and was a power to his team. Tea and other refreshments were provided on the ground by the Mesdames "Robinson. The day was most suitable, being neither too hot or too sunny, an^M both teams thoroughly enjoyed tlk^ game. The teams were composed as follows : — Oroua : -W. Strang, 0. Robinson, \ Strang, B. Gower. Ringitikei :—H. Wil?on, W. B. Giesen, J. G. Wilson and N. Wilson. We understand that the Orona's y play the same team at Ba Is on Saturday.