TROPHY RETAINED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20729, 13 February 1939, Page 13

TROPHY RETAINED

POLO CHALLENGE CAMBRIDGE BEAT MATANGI GUP WON BY MORRINSVILLE Special to Times from “Chukk/i”) CAMBRIDGE, Saturday Although best tournament form was not displayed by either team, Cambridge displayed superiority in retaining the Cameron Cup, leading scratch polo challenge trophy of the Auckland Province, by defeating Matangi by five goals to two in the main attraction at the Cambridge Polo Club’s field day, to-day. Considerable interest centred around the fixture which attracted a crowd of over 500 spectators from all parts of the Waikato and as far a* Auckland. A rough ground and the fact that the season is as yet young probably accounted for the disappointing standard of play in the big match, but Cambridge definitely lacked the combination usually associated with their brilliant displays and seemed unable to adopt the shock tactics which have won for them the polo supremacy of the Dominion. Bright interludes in several of the chukkas, however, indicated that better form can be expected from both teams when they have had more match play. • Flashes of Peake’s Best First chukka brilliance suggested that the game would be a thrilling exhibition but the standard was not sustained. Matangi had the upper hand for the most part of the first three chukkas but could not maintain the command when Cambridge’s ace, Ken Peake, took charge of. affairs on several occasions. In the concluding stages Cambridge were superior and there was little doubt that the cup would remain in their possession. While the All Black full-back, Ken Peake, was the outstanding player on the field he was not at his best, although flashes of his brilliance came towards the end. G. Peake, another New Zealand representative, and Matangi captain, was always in the picture but did not get the feel of the willow as often as usual. Most improved game undoubtedly was that of J. R. Ranstead, who was mainly responsible for Matangi's early territorial superiority and who later paved the way for many attacks. G. Howiett and R. Nolan, both played good number one games, riding off well. Somers Cup Form While Morrinsville have had considerably more match play than the other Waikato teams they found the ground difficult at Cambridge and gave a less exciting exhibition than usual in annexing the Somers Cup from Cambridge B, in the other game, by a margin of four goals to nil. The Somers Cup, which is for competition between teams with an aggregate of individual handicaps of not more than 14, was won by Cambridge B from Waihou last season. Morrinsville were hitting more accurately and had the better of the early part of the game, but the Cambridge team showed better form in the concluding stages and more accurate hitting of the vital shots may h&ve made the score more indicative of the run of play. The best form in this match was displayed by E. Anderson, a young Cambridge player, who has made continual improvement in polo over the last two seasons. The annexation of the Somers Cup added another trophy to Morrinsville’s string which have been gained by the club over two very successful seasons. The visiting Auckland players did not play owing to their Inability to bring ponies from Auckland yesterday. THE BIG GAME CAMBRIDGE LEAD EARLY The teams In the Cameron Cup match were as follows: Cambridge: R. Nolan, R. Hannon, L. R. Kay, K. Peake. Matangi: G. Howlett, G. Peake, J. R. Ranstead, H. Peake. In a spectacular opening, Ranstead piloted Matangi to the attack and in two brilliant solo drives narrowly missed the pylons. Tbe effort was nullified, however, when Matangi crossed, giving Cambridge a free hit right back at Matangi’s goal. K. Peake’s effort at the goal flew wide but the Cambridge attack became determined and rrom a melee in front of the goal, Nolan patted the ball home for the first blood. Ranstead was again responsible for placing the cup holders hard on the defensive and twice he registered behinds. Coming again in support of a drive initiated by G. Peake, Ranstead stood high in his stirrups to crack a brilliant drive high through the posts. With the scores squared, the speed of. the chukka became Taster. K. Peake cantered out of the ruck, opened a driving thrush which Hannon keipt in motion until K. Peake came a second time to deflect the ball for Cambridge's second goal. Although one down on the score sheet, Matangi had enjoyed the better or the first chukka territorially and • with the opening of the second spell attacked immediately. In a period or miss-hitting Cambridge gained the upper-hand till near the end of the chukka. Good riding-off by Hewlett held off the invasion unltil G. Peake gave his pony its head to guide three excellent drives into the attacking zone. Kay crossed but Matangi missed the free. Again Cambridge was lucky when, at the opening of the third chukka, Hannon cleared just at the vital moment to stem a Matangi rush. Howlett revived the attack and a good horse carried the ball to the goal mouth. A melee developed and K. Peake's pony kicked the ball between the posts to register a goal in Matangi’s Tavour. Matangi 2, Cambridge 2. Cambridge assumed an attacking role but the combination was weak. Twice Hannon missed comparatively easy opportunities to goal and the chukka ended with Matangi attacking again. Characteristic Tactics More characteristic of the team's shock tactics and featuring K. Peake in a glimpse of his true form, was the Cambridge attack at the outset of the fourth chukka. Peake galloped clear from a melee. With three terrific smacks he sent the ball on the attack only to pull the vital strike wide or the goal. The thrush was renewed when .Matangi hit-in and Hannon goaled Tor Cambridge. In a moment Cambridge goaled again to place the issue or the match almost certain. G. Peake made the mistake of centring when Kay was ihe only player in line, ealching Matangi all out of position he guided the ball with two easy and well placed shots to score. Cambridge 4, MaAgain Ken Teake was master nr the situation when he came from the four position, lhrough the field, for another big gallop. g. Peake had everything in his favour to ride-off the New Zealand number onp player. K. Peake tricked his opponent, however,, and swung on to the ball unopposed lint the last shot to goal was sliced. Good anticipation and the bo-t combination displayed in the match enabled K. Peake to >urceed with his solo polo early in the fifth chukka. When .Matangi were attacking Kay barkhanded to allow K. Peake to gallop fast on to the ball and take it away before Matangi could turn. Well-mounted as far as speed was concerned on the racehorse Tradesman, Peake drove three long shots and, with terrific percussion sent the last drive soaring high between the pylons from 40 yards out. it was a great goal. J. Ranstead led Matangi to the attack early in the final spell but o. Peake received the ball on the knee and play was