VICTORIA.

Manawatu Herald, 27 May 1899, Page 2

VICTORIA.

Tha Argus reports the nr« intercolonial palo match ever piayed be rween Victoria and New Zealand took place on Saturday afternoon. . . . . Uau?ual interest attache 1 fc) the match owing to the remark ably successful tour of the N^w Zia land players, who had won six ou' of tha seven matches in which thf y had taken part. ... On Siturd iy the weather was perfect from th spectator's point of view, and ther< was a large attendance at the ground. His Excellency the Governor waprosent on horseback. Lady Bra--•?ey, attended by Mi* Cecil, drovi hprself in a mail phaeton, and th j menibeiM of the vice-regal suite were abo present. In addition to th • usual gathering of polo enthusiast', a large number of ladies were present. The gam* was very fa9t from the outlet, and was a remark ible fine exhibition of polo, the Victorian four showing specially fine form. In he previous games the concerted play of the New Zjalanders was tbe strong point that won all their viotories, but iv the picked Victorian team they met more tlmp

match in this particular depart, meat of tho game, for the various membara of it have played together ao much that their taotias appeared to be the result of one leifed purpose, and thay also kept their plaoes in the field more consistently than their opponents. The broth era Strang made some brilliant dashe* early in the gam?, and thsir brilliant hitting both from the backhand and forehind evoked cheer?, while Mr Bakar and Mr ft >binson also played i fiae game, and Me Biker sever.U lime swept tha ground almost .from end to end. It was early evident, however, that the New Zealand team wre overmatched, and the clever hitting of Messrs W. T. and E M*nifjld, reinforced by the tremendous rushes of Mr J. G Manifold and the sound, scientific gama of Mr Hood, kept the New Zaalandera perpetually on the defensive. . . . . . Tho Victorian ponies, on whole, seemed to. have a slight ad van' a ga in pace over the poniei bronghi from New Z ;aland, but the gam; was played at a rattling speed right throughout, and though lha Victorians won in the end with a bit in hand, the play was more even thin lha scores would seem to iudicate.