St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-15
CHAMPIONSHIP POLO GAME.
Winona Beats St. Paul, Winning Three Out Of
Five Goals

w
Five Goals.
The Jackson Street rink was scene OF
| gayety last night, the attraction being polo
game between the Winona team and the St.
Paul club. Polo on skates has become a
great skating-rink feature since the fascina-
| ton of the little rollers has gained such a
hold upon the popular favor. Just now there
is little data at hand as to the origin of the
game, though it is doubtless an improve
ment upon the schoolboy game of skinny
"a suggestion which will appeal at once to
the recollection of those who were lads at q
period when old ''town ball'' was not sup
planted by the more improved game of base
ball. There are six players on each side in
polo. who are arranged in V shape at each
end of the rink, at the angle of which
is the goal, two upright posts about
three feet apart, and between which stands
the goal keeper. Next to him, extending
outwards TO the center, are the half-back,
center and cover point, and on the ends of
the ''V'' are the rushers. The ball is placed
in the center, and, at signal from the ref
cree, the rushers make for the ball from each
of the contending sides, the object of the
game being to drive it through the oppo-
nent's goal by the aid of the stick curved at
one end. with which each player is provided
As the game is played by professional ath-
letes it is reduced to science" The goals
are network pocket, which prevents dis
putes, often otherwise arising, as to whether
the ball passed through, for once in the
pocket it is held therein. Professionals play
with leg-guards, to protect those embers'
from the blows which are likely to be re-
celved. The goal-keepers wear breast-pads to
ward off fly balls. A twelve-ounce stick and
tive-ounce ball is considered by them as
the BEST as light ball furnishes better OPP
portunity for skillful "dribbling'' than a
heavier one. The game is intensely exciting
when well played. Which was the first polo
club in Minnesota is matter in dispute be-
tween the twin cities, each claiming that the
Oldest of its several clubs was the first one
started in the state. In most places where
there are skating Kinks there are also polo
clubs, but the towns included in the state
championship contest are Winona, Saltwater,
Mankato, St. Peter, Shakopee, Minneapolis
and st. Paul. There is as yet no league,
though steps will soon be taken toward per-
fecting such an organization. 1t is scarcely
likely that it will be in working order for the
remaining games to be played, as the season
will shortly be at an end. In Eastern cities
the game is practiced as an outdoor
sport and the players are mounted
on ponies, but as yet in the Northwest it is
exclusively an indoor game. The play last
night was not called until late, but was well
contested and the points applauded to the
ecno by the large number of spectators
WinOna stands at the head of the list of
competitors for the championship, and is a
club composed of good players throughout. On
the whole they are stronger than st. Paul,
though the game last night developed fine
playing on both sides, that of Barron for the
home team being particularly noticeable. By
their victory last evening the Winonas still
point to record unmarked by single de-
feat. The teams and their positions are as
follows:
Winona. Position. ST. Paul
W. Roherts. ....... .Rusher. .......G. Zenzius
\ or ED. ........... Rusher. Barron
GoZneI Center .......... Robertson
DeGraf. .Coyer-point. -. C. Zenzius
Melvin. Half back. ........ Scott
Z. Roberts. ......... Goal-keeper. 49,. Thurman
the first goal was secured BY the Winonas
in 6 minutes, second for Winoua in 10
minutes, third for st. Paul in l minute, 5
seconds, fourth for St. Paul in 8 seconds :;
fifth goal and game for Winonas in Is
minutes. Goznell scored the three goals
made by his club. c. Zenzius made
the first one for his side and Barron the
next. Judges for Winona were r. L. Grant,
Mr. Mead; St. Paul, F. c. Jacobs, s. c. Tatro;
referee, George DAYTON. The ball several
times left the floor and went in among the
spectators. The wall between the spectators
and the arena is so low that this cannot be
avoided. At the conclusion of the play the
home club at once challenged the victors,
and the game will come off at Wiuona on
Good Friday. A game between st. Paul and
the Silver Stars of Minneapolis will be played
Wednes