New-York tribune., 1900-05-28
POLO.
THE CALENDAR UP TO DATE-STATUS
OF THE PLAYERS AND HOW THEY
ARE IMPROVING.

AS the polo season advances votaries OF the
sport who are following the circuit and wagering
on form shown in the games thus far will
doubt appreciate the data hereinafter given set
ting forth at glance the actual playing strength
of the several teams engaged in the association
tournaments.
AS differing from last season. which opened with
contest of mediocre quality between players
lightly handicapped, the Eastern circuit this
was ushered in under good auspices the pictur-
esque grounds of Georgian Court with-a series OF
inspriting games between teams-a little mixed
TO club make up 1t is true. but In the main
constituted that sport of an exceedingly satisfying
character resulted.
On almost par with last seasons great combat
at Westchester. between the famous Meadow
Brook Light Blues and the Westchester- Newport
veterans, the stirring struggle OF the Lakewood
first and Devon cracks for Mrs. George J. Gould's
handsome trophies, which the home contingent just
managed to win by the narrow margin of a quarter
of a goal, with allowance Of five. Throughout
this game was replete with play of championship
calibre
The fact that George ]. Goud's organization had
been IN assiduous practice for weeks prior to the
opening Of the tournament, and had the advantage
of somewhat low handicap. made it possible for
the home teams to carry off both the Herbert and
the Georgian Court trophies, But they had to fight
for all they IL their third teams total eclipse
OF the Staten Island youngsters be excepted who
crawled out with solitary goal, against ten
ard Woodman combination. The Lakewood Sec
onds' victory over quartet from the Philadelphia
Country Club nothing to boast OF. for the vis-
itors earned five goals against the home teams
three. and the atter's acceptance Of by handicap
than their form warranted
The form shown by players from the Cedarhurst
club this season attracted the attention Of all
the experts. the finish which Messrs. Hazard,
Rene La Montague, Albert Francke and Collier
gave the Lakewood third team. its hard battle
against a Quaker four its ultimate demolition Of
Mr. Gould's third organization. and, later, Of his
regular team. the Country Club last week,
demonstrating beyond peradventure that old Rock
away is again its feet and can afford TO
throw down the gauntlet to all comers, with any
thing like fair handicap rating. And the club
accomplished this by astutely replacing Francke
with Conover. and, after trying Brooks putting in
Savage goaIkeeper. all Of which shows the
master hand of the Rockaway wizard, John E.
Cowdin, under whose watchful eye the team takes
its practice With the dean himself at third posi-
ton. the Rockaway quartet made mincemeat OF a
westchester four. consisting of Eugene Reynal.
Monte Waterbury and the Golfers pere ct fls
Trained TO the hour. the Rockaway players moved
down their opponents in period after period, and
the defeated poloists only able TO score four
times. as against nineteen honors recorded by the
visiting team. But this not ALL for, even with
the light weight Brooks at back, the Rockaway
quartet fairly swaInped the Westchester repre-
sentatives among whom young Nat Reynal ap
peared. which efectually settles the Country
Clubs rating for the first half of the circuit, and
leaves the Cedarhurst players much to the fore.
Interest now centres on the battle set for Thurs
day May 81, between Lakewoods mixed team,
comprising George J. Gould, George ". hendrIck
and Charles Wheeler, of Devon, and Monte Water
bury, OF Westchester; William and George Eystis,
Henry Payne Whitney and Benjamin NtcoH, all
players OF high canbre The game should attract
thousands Of enthusiasts from all over the coun-
try
To-day's game between organizations from Lake
wood and Rockaway, will be well worth seeing, as
Messrs- Gould and Cary and the CoAler faIrlly
have a crow to pick with the men from Cedar,
hurst. because OF the latter's victory in the hnal
for the Country Club cups. At even handicap. and
with Brooks helping Hazard, La Montague and
Conover, the Rockaway team. beat Lakewood one
goal If Savage relieves Brooks and backs to-day
as he did last Thursday. sthsn their aggregate
penalty will IT. which viii make necessary their
allowance to Lakewood of two goals, and so the
latter may win out, but TREY VIII have to play
much better than they did last Monday If the
Hampstead cups TO become their property