POLO HIGHLIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20512, 31 May 1938, Page 12

POLO HIGHLIGHTS

ALL BLACKS IN SYDNEY •ECRET OP TEAM'S SUCCESS POPULARISING THE SPORT Highlights of the New Zealand polo team’s -\islt to Australia in which it was successful in securing the Australasian Gold Cup were described by Mr C. Meredith, assistant-manager of the team, speaking to members of the Hamilton Rotary Club yesterday. After tracing briefly the history of polo, Mr Meredith said the main objective of the New Zealand Polo Association was to popularise the game In the Dominion. In some parts of the country this had been lost sight of but he considered that with the success of the All Black team, Waikato people would be assured of seeing a high standard of play in their own district. There was an ideal ground at Claudelands and In a few years there would be a field there second to none In New Zealand. Claudelands would be the venue for the Savile Cup which would be played for there every fourth year. “I can assure the people of the Waikato that they will see faster and more spectacular polo than they would in Australia or any other part of New Zealand.” said Mr Meredith. The speaker attributed the success of the New Zealand team in Australia to their superior horses and horsemanship. However, if allowed a free hand the Australians could goal from any anal*. It said something for the New Zealanders that they could overcome the superior hitting of their opponents.

Different Bty!es

With the aid of a diagram. Mr Meredith described the orthodox style of the Australian players in which shorter-hit ting and combination with every man participating in a movement was the predominating feature. On the other hand the New Zealanders would allow one man to concentrate on the strokes while the remainder of the team rode-off their opponents. These tactics displayed to the best the faster horses of the New Zealanders which allowed this style to be used and also the superior horsemanship In riding-off. “Bob Nolan was the best number one I have ever seen but he did not get the credit for his work. He played an unselfish game in a difficult position,” concluded Mr Meredith.