Banks makes impact in Hawke’s Bay polo

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A PRODUCT of Tolaga Bay Area School has introduced himself to the national polo scene in a big way.

Sixteen-year-old Waitakeo Banks is a second-season player with the Porangahau-based Wanstead club.

He was the only Hawke’s Bay member of the Morningstar team who beat Kihikihi 6-4 in the Dewar Cup final at the Hawke’s Bay Open in Hastings eight days ago.

Banks, a No.1 player, has a minus-two handicap.

Hawke’s Bay Today sports reporter Shane Hurndell reported that in the final Banks was outstanding in all aspects of play, particularly in his defensive work off the ball.

Asked how he found the standard of play, Banks said: “Pretty mean . . . a great experience at six-goal level for the first time.

“When Angus McKelvie asked me if I wanted to play with him for Morningstar I jumped at the opportunity. He is the man after all.”

For McKelvie, it was the fourth year in a row he had tasted Dewar Cup glory. He scored five of his team’s goals in the final.

Banks is one of two East Coast players — Wanstead A’s Wirihana Kururangi is the other — sponsored and trained by Porangahau polo enthusiast Harriet Kuru.

Banks has been involved in horse sports since he was six.

“Polo is my No.1 sport and I want to represent New Zealand in the future,” Hurndell quoted him as saying.

At the tournament prizegiving, Banks received the South Australia Salver for the Central Districts player displaying the most promise.

Banks was thought to be the youngest member of a winning Dewar Cup side in the tournament’s 81-year history, Hurndell reported.

McKelvie was quick to heap praise on Banks: “Wai had a really good tournament and a blinder in the final.”

McKelvie, who played for Rangitikei A when they won the preceding three Dewar Cup finals, said quality team work on Day 1, when they beat Hawke’s Bay A 7-3, was the key to their success in the three-day event.

McKelvie’s Morningstar team also included brother Cam at No.3 and Arthur Morgenstern at No.2. The McKelvie brothers are third-generation players.