Polo Tournament.

Manawatu Herald, 27 March 1902, Page 2

Polo Tournament.

MANAWATU DEFEATS RANGITIKEI. The Savile Cup has come ba«jk to the Manawatu. For six'years the coveted trophy was in the possession of Palmerston players, with the Manawatu Club tram 1895 to 1897, and with the Oroua Club from 1898 to 1900. Now, after being possessed by the Rangitikei Club for a season, it is again in the keeping of the Manawatu Club, who won it after a finely contested game, by a margin of three goals. The Manawatu No. 1 team (O, Robinson, A. Strang and R. P. and H. E: Abraham)- scored seven goals to the four scored by the Rangitikei men (J. G. G. H., R. A. and Noel Wilson): Unfortunately the game was delayed by a nasty accident near the end of the first spell. W. A. Keiiler, playing for Rangitikei, was riding on the left of H. Abraham, when Abraham struck at the ball in front and under his horse’s head.* The stick, missing the ball, struck Keillcr’s pony, the bend of the cane catching Keiiler between the eyes, and inflicting a nasty gash. Keiller was attended to by Dr Lowe, and left the ground. Fortunately for the : game, the Rangitikei Club had another - representative present, in the person of Mr J. G. Wilson, who was amemberof the Rangitikei team when it won the Savile Cup for the first time in 1894, and is father of the other three members of the present team. As the veteran player rode into the field, he received an ovation; It was soon seen that the substitute was a strength rather than a weakness to the team. . He played correctly and safely, and kept the team together. The first score in the match was made by Keiiler for Rangitikei, and his example was almost immediately followed by Robinson, the back of the Manawatu team, who shot a beautiful goal. Noel Wilson saved his side from a tight corner, and then, Keiiler missing the ball, R. Abraham scored. 2x. Before the ball was long in play in the spell following, R. Abraham added another goal to the Manawatu. 31. Some fine play was shewn by Noel Wilson, who carried the ball tlw length of the field to his. opponents' goal posts, but Robinson was safe, as usual. The ball was then returned' down the field, principally by R, Abraham’s work. In the third spell some very fast play took place, and more than once R. Wilson beat R. Abraham , by his better paced pony. No score was registered in this spell, but Rangitikei was forced down three times'. The fourth spell was remarkable for the perfect defence of O. Robinson. At the beginning of the fifth spell Noel Wilson carried the ball down the field, and Hamish hit a fine goal. 4—2, The father of the team shortly after got possession of the ball, and taking it cleverly down the field, enabled his son Robert to score. 4—3. H. Wilson immediately afterwards scored again, and brought the teams level. 4—4. In some excellent play which followed, ]. G. Wilson - was again prominent. H. Abraham bad hard luck in missing a goal after - getting the ball away and taking it the length of the field by several fine drives. His brother, however, immediately afterwards scored, and Manawatu led again. 5— 4. In the last spell J. G. Wilson saved splendidly on several occasions. One of the best goals of the day was that scored by Strang in this spell. He got the ball away, and carried it the length of the field, driving it hard between the posts. 6—4. Just before the end of the spell, another goal was recorded to the credit ot H. Abraham. 7~a. The Wilsons played remarkably well, and did their best to make the game Ust. For Manawatu, Robinson played

perfect polo, making a great defence. Strang played well up to him, and the Abrahams were always quick and (ipver. *On the conclusion of the game, the Savile and Handicap Cups were presented to the successful teams by Mrs T. Crosse.—N.Z. Times.