The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-15
PLAYING POLO.
THE GAMES or TIE POLO cLUB-THE PLAYERS
AND THE MANNER OF PLAYING.


From the New York Times, May II
dozen horsemen, score more Of privileged
visitors and hundred or two OF spectators from the
Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards, gathered ut
Jerome Park yesterday afternoon to witness the second
practice game OF the Polo Club The atmosphere was
pleasantly cool and was in every way suited TO the
sport on hand. Shortly after four O'Clock the men,
bcrs OF the club began to make their appearance IN
carriages and road wagons several or which contained
one or more ladies, in sdditioa t@Sts complement OF
men Only drag that OF Mr.. wf,iam Jay, came up
70 the park and the gathering in other respects
purely informal Affair." The portion Of the park de-
voted to polo at the southern edge Of the park just
below the extra half mile track The space slakcd on
for practice about 400 feet long $50 wide and is en-
closed py tall white poles, ut distances Of fifty feet from
each other At each end Of the grounds two poles
twenty-five feet apart each bearing small nag These
arc tho goals through which the ball must BIO driven
order to obtain victory. At the eastern border
OF the grounds q email blue and white tent. and in
front OF II we're ranged half dozen camp chairs for
the ladies' At hafpast four O'Clock the payers began
to muster In strength The Indies seated in front
Of the tent, and The gentlemen, majority Of whom
had driven up costume, mounted their ponies and
armed themselves the fray. Tho only weapon used
Is a mallct from five to six feet in length, with
wooden head not unlike that OF hammer. With this
the player must strike light wooden ball, Of tho size
and shape Of base ball. and drive it through the goal
ofthc opposite party. Sir Bache Cunard the toss
for choice and position, and the sides soon
paired OIL as foliows:-
Lord Vaudeville, Sir Bache Cunard,
Mr., Bennett, Mr.. Rowland Robbins,
Mr.. I.cathaM, Colonel William Jay,
Mr.. Schuyler Crosby, Mr. Cussie Jay,
Mr.. s. S. Rowland. Mr. Perry Belmont.
end OF the grounds Immediately In front OF their goal
and Lord Vaudeville and his friends drew IN line be-
riding breechcs OF vcvoleon or nankeen and several
Of them had cosorcd shirts and caps Mr. Bennett had
handkerchief around bis neck, another around
his waist, and wide nankeens and high
top boots. Lord Vaudeville had on blue
shirt. a gray cap, velvctecns, and high cavalry
boots Sir Bachc Cunard had pair Of wide
nankeens similar to Mr. Bennctrs, greenish tinted
shirt aud high boots Tho Texan mustangs ridden by
tho party were all active wiry little animals, and
joined IN tho sport with much apparent zest the
owners, although the successive thwackings which
they received from the malIes OF nervous or unsked
players were enough 10 tire out any animals except
those Of their peculiar breed. Mr.. Benefits gray,
one OF the nmbiest and most graceful of the entire
corral was admired BY ALL As the ladies said, The
little horse" and his spirit and vivaciy kept
tull pace with that Of the best players around him.
Al quarter to i've O'Clock the bali tossed into the
air The centre Of the grounds, and the opposing
players made grand rush Tor it. II driven out Of
the centre Of the throng and The 1eeest horsemen
both sides made Tor T. In this second rush Cunard
broke his malet and had 70 be supplied with second
Meantime the ball Was driven backward and for
ward In rapid succession amid shouts OF well done,
Bennett" and well hit, Cunard, until it had been
finally driven to within few feet OF the lower goal.
Here the Vaudeville party rallied and contested the
ground desperately, but the advantage lay with the
Cuuarders and in another minute well directed hut
sent spinning between the flags, while the Cunarders
SIDES Lord Vaudeville taking the upper goal and
Cunurd the lower In this game the ball was
driven twice out OF bounds, several mallets were
broken and both parties in turn pushed back by
their opponents almost to their respective goal In
Of the msfees the ball was broken and fresh
had 10 be supplied Tho game was won by Lord
Vaudeville after worry pretty fighting. which
excellent hits were made Dy Aessrs Bennett cunard
and others The score was now te each sido having
won once short breathing spell was taken. aud
then tho men ranged themselves for the third and last
struggle. The word was gwen the ball shot in the
air and tho turf rcsounded with tho thud OF the OPP
posing parties AS they charged each other In their
efforts to recover the flying ball. At moment the
Impossible 70 move their mallets, and at other mo-
ments two or three active players drove the ball before
them almost without opposition As soon as the ball
seen TO emerge from tho tangled group Of players
with fleet rider driving II before him, tho shout OF
"Ride him out wassraised by tho enemy, and before
the successful player could propc the ball between Ills
opponents goals he driven OF his prey by the
rush OF two three hostile horscmon. Furious
charges and charges made; the ball was
driven out or bounds lost found and Knocked over al
most every square yard Of the ground. and still
neither party was able to In the thick
for moment, lost his horse, which ran
through tho surrounding meadows pursued by
ball knocked pieces by blow from ono of tho
contending maots A new bail was supplied, ana tho
hight went on with undiminshed vigor The ladies
watched the game with eager interest and applauded
right heartily ut the successful strokes both
Al 4 seemed that the Cunarders Of
victory, and lew fcet more of turf passed would
have given them the goal, when magnificent hit by
Lord Vaudeville sent tho ball lying half the length
Of the grounds. This beyond question tho finest
stroke OF the day and burst OF applause greeted it ON
all sides Tho battle now ragged AROUND the lower goal,
and the men and Their horses mixed together IN
an undstinguishabc mass Then the ranks opened
once more and the ball was seen gliding back toward
the upper goal Another encounter, another melee,
and another break followed. Lord Vaudeville had
from defeat, when the latter seemed inevitable. The
Vaudeville band gathering renewed courage from this
lucky stroke, closed ound their leader and by main
force and hard lighting pushed the bali down toward tho
lower goal Here tho last brush or the day occurred
aud after some excellent hits both Sides in which
Mr. Bennett Lord Vaudeville, Mr.. Crosby and others
distinguished themselves, the ball driven between
the Cunard flags, and the Vaudeville side was VIC