New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-01

team rose splendidly 10 the occasion, and played
a nearly faultless game. much better. in fact.
than they ever played here before, and the
Eagiishmen who commented upon the game
after the contest was over freely admitted that
the victory well Won. They are better
hitte-s. have better ponies and played better
together than fellows was generally the
verdict Waterbury and Keene We're the par
ticular stars Of the American team and again
and again saved the game.
WATCHED BY MANY POLO PLAYERS.
The arrangements for the great match were
admirable. and there was one Of the largest
gatherings Of English polo players seen at
birmingham for years. The ground rather
soft after the rain Of last night, and the ball
did not travel freely at any period Of the game.
which consequently, was never fast, although
at times the ponies were galloping well Never
Iheless. the best team won.
What. perhaps was more astonishing than
anything else, that the American ponies
were ct time outpaced by the English. yet
some famous ponies playing for England.
Walter Jones, who has the best stable of play
ing ponies in England. lent Ny Girl. which is
believed to be the best pony in England, 70
Miller. and also lent to Patteson Nickalls Luna
and Charner the former of which is Hurting
ham prize winner. II would have been difficult
collect polo ground a better lot of ponies.
but the American animals held their own for
speed and beat the English ponies for handi-
\ ness. L. waterbury's gray Dennis, Keene's
Texiana and Agassiz's chestnut were especially
noticea BILE.
The hitting and combination play of the
Americans was magnificent. The English team,
almost from first TO last, seemed 70 have the
better of the game, so far they, more often
than not. were nearer TO the goal which the
Americans were defending than TO their own.
Sometimes they very close to the posts
and indeed, repeatedly shot at the goal: yet
they nearly always missed or the ball was re-
turned to them Only thrice in the whole play
did Buckmaster (EngIish) have hit out from
behind his own back line. Nine times in one
period did the Americans hit out of bounds in
order to save their goal The reason for this
was that Waterbury's defence was nearly per
feet Waterbury always where he ought
to have been. once he interposed his pony be-
fore che goal at exactly the right moment, and
once he actually hit the ball as 1t was resting
OF the very chalk line itself.
WHEN THE AMERICAN CHANCE CAME.
Any attack in so severe a game of polo as was
fo-day's contest is bound TO give way at last if
st fails to break the defences; and SO. when the
welcome chance came for the Americans TO turn
their ponies and play with the ball instead Of
against it, their forwards started fresh, with
half beaten, scattered team opposing them
Then the long practice Of team play told, and
the Americans raced through their opponents as
though the latter only novices, Agassiz
lArnericanl riding off Miller Engiish), and
Cowdin, Keene and Waterbury Ame-icans) gal
looping and passing the ball from back to for
ward with a series Of splendid near side forward
strokes. Thus, waterbury's defence must be
taken as the main factor in the victory. Against
* the English attack was shattered. Then the
American combination play was much better
than that of the birmingham four; the English
men scattered or got in each others way, and
seldom or never gave Buckmaster. their captain,
8 chance.
Cecil Nickalls played well, but he
often the ball than riding: and that redoubt-
able opponent No. i. Miller, never showed his
true form al all.
The Americans were always quicker on the
ball than their opponents Next to Waterbury,
Agassiz showed UP prominently playing al