The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-02-12

PoLo AT THE COLISEUM. The first exhibition
game Of polo ever played i'll Belfast came off at the
Coliseum on Wednesday evening of last week To
nnc-tenths Of the people present the game was en-.
tirely new, and much curiosity and some Impotence
were exhibited until the clubs put in an appear
ance. Polo is first cousin to hockey and is played
on roller skates six side constitute club.
circle about five feet in diameter is painted on the
floor al each end of the rink-and these are the
goals. Two posts called goal posts stand on the
edge Of the circle bail is placed in the centre Of
the floor. One stands within the goal circle,
between the posts ana is known as the goal tend.
The remainder of the club are stationed ON either
hand Of the goal IN semi circular form and are
two-half backs, one cover point and two rushers.
The latter stationed on the extremes the clubs
Each man is armed with stick that touches the
floor when he stands upright and which he holds In
his right hand The lower end of the stick is crooked
into IA half circle. This is TO strike the ball. The
clubs take their respective positions at the goals
and the referee sounds call which signifies ready.
He then places the BAH in the centre of the floor
At the sound of the call the rushers of either
side make dash for the ball, ana the first one to
reach it gives the bali strike toward the goal of
their opponents A goal is won by the passage of
the pan from tht fr0nt between the goal posts,
below the tops of the same. Every except the
goal tends fights for the ball, and when two clubs
are evenly matched the excitement is great. The
bail is regarded much a head at "Donny-
brook fair'-when you see it hit it. Each side
strives to send the bah through the adversary's
goal, and at the same time to hinder its passage
through their own. The two clubs here are called
the "Coliseums,' headed by J. Louis Pendleton,
captain, and the "720S," headed by Austin Mckeen,
captain. The first named club is composed of j.
Louis Pendleton, W. r. Marshall, Frank knowl-
ton, Howard Fletcher Frank Fernald, and |. NJ.
Cottren. and the latter of Austin McKeen, Will
Holt, Charles Kurdish, Fletcher Staples, Forest
Fletcher and John Sleeper. The clubs have had
but little practice. At nine O'Clock the skaters
left the floor and the Coliseum put in
dition for the game by stretching netting along
the side from the galleries to protect the windows
from the ball The clubs then skated in and took
their positions. Forrest Cottrell acted referee
and AT the sound of his call the rushers made
dash for the ball and the fun began. The ball
was hooked batted and driven all over the floor by
the combatants, who fought good naturedly for the
mastery. The Coliscums were too much for their
opponents and scored three goals in one, two three
order, the whole time not exceeding twenty min
uteS. Mr. Morrison announced that inaSmuch as
he game was short the clubs after short rest
would play another game. The second much
more hoty contested and proved more interesting.
The Coliseums won the first goal, the 1908 taking
the second and third and the Coliseums the fourth
and fifth, winning the game. With more practice
the clubs will play well. About 400 people were
present including large party from Searsport.
Belfast band furnished music. Polo has now been
int HiiaeI alir far tn
come permanent amusement.