The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-01
VICTORY FOR AMERICANS
BRITISH POLO PLAYERS DEFEATED
AT HURLINGHAM.
Players and Ponies from This Coun-
try Superior to Those of Eng
Iand-Two Goals TO One.

LONDON, May 3l.-The first test polo
match for the American cup was played at
Hurlinehsn to-day and was won by the
Americans by two goals TO one. The
weather was fine and the ground good but
soft. An enormous crowd. including many
ladies, was present. Joseph H Choate. the
United States ambassador, Henry White.
the secretary. and the other members OF
the United States embassy witnessed the
game. Play began a few minutes after 4
o'clock in the afternoon. The contest
opened we'll for the Americans. L. Water
bury shot a goal in the first five minutes
and was much applauded by the American
section When the goals were changed the
Englishmen seemed 10 have matters their
own way and kept the ball continuously
near the American goal until r. L. Agassiz
made a splendid run the whole length OF
the field. riding Charles d. Miller. of the
English team. off and opened the way for
Foxhall Keen. the American captain, who
with a fine long shot scored another goal
In the third period England shot goal.
but II was disallowed on the ground OF foul.
The result of the match was a complete
surprise to all the experts and was all the
more welcome TO the huge gathering or
Americans. According 10 all previous form
the Englishmen should have won, but the
American team rose splendidly 10 the oc-
casion and played a nearly faultless game,
much better. in fact. than they ever played
here before. Waterbury and Keene were
the particular stars Of the American team.
and again and again saved the game.
The arrangements for the great match
were admirable. and there was one OF the
largest gatherings Of English poloists seen
al birmingham for years. The ground was
rather soft after the rain OF last night.
and the ball d:d not travel freely at any
period What, perhaps, was more astonish-
ing than anything else was that the Ameri-
can ponies were at no time outpaced by
playing for England. Walter Jones lent
Ny Girl, which is believed TO be the best
pony in England, 70 Miller. and also lent
10 Patteson Nickalls luna and Charmer.
the former of which is a birmingham prize
winner. II would have been difficult 70 col
lect better lot OF ponies. but the Ameri-
beat the English ponies for handiness- l..
Waterbury's gray Dennis, keene's Texan
ian and Agassiz's Chestnut were specially
noticeable. The hitting and combination
plays Of the Americans were magnificent
The English players were sometimes very
close TO the post and, indeed, repeatedly
missed the ball was returned 20 them
Only there times in the whole play did
Buckmaster (English) have a hit out from
behind his own back line Nine times in
one period did the Americans hit out OF
bounds in order 10 save their goal. The
reason for this was that Waterburys de-
severe a game Of polo as was tO-days cor
test Is bound TO give way at last II ~ faIi
TO break the defenses. and so, when the
welcome chance came for the Americans 10
turn their ponies and play with the ball. in
stead of against IL. their forwards started
fresh with a half-bsaten, scattered team
opposing them. Then the long practice OF
team play told. and the Americans raced
through their opponents as though the lat
ter were only novices. Aggasiz (American)
riding against Miller (English). and Cow
din, Keene and Waterbury (Americans)
galloping and passing the ball from back
to forward with a series OF splendid near
side forward strokes. Thus Waterourys
defense must be taken as the main factor
IN the victory Then. the American COM
| bination play was much better than that OF
the Nottingham four
The Americans were always quicker on
| the ball than their opponents Next 10
| Waterbury AgassiZ showed up prom nently.
playing always we'll keene never made
a mistake and did net often mics u was
! not a game that taxed No 8. but because
Keene kept the team together and never
for a moment lost his head he deserves
| more credit When he had occasion 20 30
up into the game he seemed TO work vel
with Cowdin. who also played a steady
No 2