POLO HEROES

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20503, 20 May 1938, Page 8

POLO HEROES

WELCOMED HOME GATHERING AT CAMBRIDGE BRILLIANT TEAM HONOURED Over 200 polo enthusiasts honoured the New Zealand polo players which recently returned from a triumphant tour of Australia after having annexed the Australian Gold Cup at a large “ welcome home ” dinner in the Cambridge Town Hall last evening. The honoured players were Messrs R. Q. Mackenzie, K. Peake. George Peake. R. Nolan, and the emergencies. L. R. Kay and K. E. Henry. Mr H. W. Wilson, president of the Auckland Provincial Polo Association presided. The dinner was tendered by the Auckland Provincial Polo Association. Mr Wilson congratulated the team upon its victory in annexing the cup which brought to the Dominion the blue riband of polo in the Southern Hemisphere. Although it had been decided a year ago to send a New Zealand team to Australia, it. had been left to the Waikato to finance the tour with the assistance of sportsmen throughout the Dominion. Not only did the team establish a reputation for the standard of polo but also it enhanced the already good repute of Dominion sportsmen. The players had performed magnificently. Mr Wilson proposed the toast of “ The New Zealand Polo Team.” Ken Peake’s Performance * ..-rK* To this toast each of the members of the team replied, and interesting comments on the form of the players was voiced. Mr R. Q. Mackenzie, the captain of the victorious All Blacks, thanked all the people who had made the trip to Australia possible. It had been perhaps a single chance in a lifetime. “We are pleased to have annexed the cup for it shows that all the subscriptions which enabled us to go were not in vain. “ I know a number of people think that Ken Peake should not have “been played back,” added the captain. Surely, now, everyone will agree that back was his place. As Jim Ashton said, * Ken Peake would earn a place In any international team.’ ” Mr McKenzie praised the play of Boh Nolan, the dashing No. 1, who, he said, had Bob Ashton well beaten. The captain expressed appreciation of the value of George Peake’s play especially his qualities of backing-up. Arising amid enthusiastic applause. Mr K. Peake, the ace of the team, spoke of the valuable leadership of Mr Mackenzie. “ Polo Is not a game one man can play on his own,” said Mr Peake, “ there must be combination.” “ The players rode the Australians to a standstill,” said Mr L. R. Kay, an emergency with ’the team. “ They played great polo, but I think I have seen better games in New Zealand. When the Australians tour New Zealand in quest erf the trophy I think they will get another shock at the standard of Dominion play.” Messrs Nolan, George Peake, and K. Henry, other members of the team, also responded. “ Father of Polo ” Reference to Mr G. de Vere Chitty, of Hamilton, as the father of polo was made by Mr R. Nolan in proposing the tc-ast of “ The Managers.” “ The team was outstanding and I was glad to be in charge of it,” said Mr Chitty, the manager, in reply. Ken Peake set new standards in polo as a full-back. He is one of the best polo players ever seen in Australia. Mackenzie adapted himself well to the Waikato style of play and Nolan surpi»sed the Australians with his ability to ride-off. He was a brilliant No. 1, while George Peake provided many thrills for the spectators. “ Had we met a strong team on the Tuesday,” continued Mr Chitty,” we would not have won through. Our ponies were sore and the accommodation for them was not the best. But by Thursday the boys, and some New Zealand girls incidentally, had exercised the ponies into fitness.” Mr Chitty concluded with a message from Mr Ashton,- senior:—“The New Zealanders have given the spectators one of the greatest thrills in polo ever seen.” The assistant-manager, Mr C. Meredith, also responded. He paid a tribute to the excellent management of Mr Chitty. The toast “ Auckland Provincial Polo Association,” was proposed by Mr W. A. Fisher and responded to by Mr A. Miller; “ Kindred Sports Associations,” by Mr K. M. Little, secretary of the New Zealand Polo Association. and replied to by Mr J. G. Wynyard, secretary of the Waipa Racing Club; “ The Veterans.” by Mr W. Suckling and responded to by Messrs N. Banks. R. Hannon and .T. C. Potts; “ The Ladies.” by Mr L. R. Kay and replied to by Mr H W. Upton.