The Polo Tournament.

Manawatu Herald, 16 March 1899, Page 2

The Polo Tournament.

■ — — ■» — . FalmerstoD will this week be the centra of attraction for all tbofo in* 'ernßted in the game of polo. The annual tournira »nt, held ond>V the Nr-w Z -aland P >lo Association, will commence on Tbursdny next and matches will be played every afternoon until Monday following, on - which day the final game will be decided. The senior team* will compete for a Challenge Cnp presented about ten years ago by Captain Savile. This cup was won by the Christchurch ../ ub the first four years in succession. In 1891 the RangUikei Club se-

cured the honor and in 1895, 189( and 1897 the Manawatu team wa: successful. Last year the Oroua men broki the spell and defeated Manawatu ii a magnificent game at Hastings, ant they now hold the Savile Cup. In addition to the Savile Cup con tests the New Zealand Asaociatioi has presented a Challenge Cup to b< competed for by newly-formed clnbi or second teams of senior clubs. Thi: Gup is now held by the Te Ara (Gisborne) Club, bin having won ir they are no longer eligible for th< junior contests, and will now hav< to compete for the senior Oup. It is understood that at least tec team?, representatives from the chiV centres of the Colony, intend to com pete and as each team usually brings about fifteen ponies the rare oppor tunity will be afforded of seeing aboul ?450 of the best ponies in the Colonj in the pink of condition. • - The expense of maintaining three or four ponies in racing condition necessarily restricts the number 01 Polo players and for this reason the game is not well known but tbofc who have once witnessed a first class will testify to the intense ex citementofa fast racing game between two strong teams struggling for their laurels. All the elements of true Englipt pport are to be found in the game oi Polo. Pace, dash, endurance, and hitting power combined with a cool head and tactical skill are essential to success in the Polo field. Thesp are the qualities of the game which have made it ' par excellence ' the game of our English cavalry. A special interest attaches to this year's tournament for a series oi intercolonial match have been ar ranged by the Ntw Zealand, New South Wales and Victoria Polo Associations to take place in Australia next month and a selection will be made this week by the New Zealand Association of the player 3to represent New Zealand. We can strongly recommend all lovers of true sport who can spare an hour or so in the afternoon to spend it at the Hokowhitn Ground during the tournament.— Standard.