Polo Tournament

Story By Gae Parrott

The players and wives of past players of yesteryear enjoyed a great catch up at the afternoon tea supplied by the Northern Polo Association on Sunday while they watch the finals of the Intermediate and Senior sections of the Northern Provincial Centennial tournament at Nga Rakau grounds.

Existing clubs in the association invited all those involved in polo, including Richie Hannon, 82, who has a tournament held in Cambridge every year for the Hannon cup, most members of the large Kay family who played for the Kihikihi club.

Their interest was no less than 40 years ago and watched the two Kihikihi teams battle it out for the Low Goal and Cox Plate trophies.

Edward Kay, not seen for some years playing polo, made the big come-back this weekend, playing at the back in the Low Goal section, has lost none of his skills and directed his players with powerful long shots to his forward players, Thomas Nicholson and Ahsleigh Christain, who took up the challenge, with vigorous ride-offs and acurate hitting. Stephen Kay kept this game interesting with his steady influence and the delighted crowd were pleased with the 51/2 - 3 win against an Auckland side called Blackstone.

There was a big interested in the clash between Kihikihi A and Morningstar (Ardmore), which included John Paul Clarkin. Andrew Parrott, who has being playing at the top of his form all season, togher with his team mate Paul kay, hammered away at the opposition defense and at the end of the 4th chukka, were up 5-3, collecting 3 quick goals in the 3rd chukka and keeping tight rein on Clarkin who is among the highest handicapped NZ players, Their teams mates, Giles Bayley and Lenny Kay excelled themselves in their ride offs and hitting game. One spectator was impressed at the way Bayley kept his man out of play to allow Parrott to come through, showing team qualities that are important to winning and Lenny Kay working hard through the game, marking his man, in a closely fought contest..

However Morningstar were patient and closed the gap to 6 all in the final chuikka and in extra time, Clarkin dribbled the ball toward the goal, hit it in, Parrott hit it out, deflected off Clarkin’s pony and went throught the goal. There was a big silence around the ground as the umpires called goal and it was the end leaving everyone wondering how it had got away. The score ended at 7-6

In the hight goal section, Rangatikei took away the NPA Cup, beating Waimai on Handicap by 7-6 in another battle with the scores see-sawing. However the Englishman and captain, Will Lucas kept working his team mates and himself and patience ws rewared as out form Waimai tumbled.

Next week, the two teams who played in the NPA go to Auckland next week to play in the Savile Cup, a national tournament played every year in different parts of the country. The only change will be Hamish Ormond replacing Ashleigh Christain in the Low Goal section.