The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-17

STAFF Correspondence OF the Journal.
ANDERSON. Ind. Nov. 1.-THE much
touted Anderson team. heralded as the
probable winner of the Western Roller
Polo League championship this season, lost
the first game OF the season TO the fast
Richmond team tonight by a score OF
{ 10 l.
Ii was a disappointed crowd that left the
rink at the conclusion Of the contest.
When the reserved seat sale opened last
week all OF the seats were sold I'm less than
two hours and those who could not procure
seats I'm advance crowded into every nook
and corner of the rink. Spectators bought
tickets in blocks Of six, eight and ten and
they were sold around the hotels and cigar
stores tonight before the game as high
as $3.50 apiece and these tickets cost only
&C cents each at the box office. 1t was
nothing uncommon to see man sell re-
served seats at 81 apiece.
Every man. woman and child in Anderson
wanted to see the first polo game of the sea-
son Of 1903-04. for they had been led to be-
heve that Anderson would have the fastest
polo team that was ever brought together.
Even Tim Murnane had written that And
erson would be one of the chief contenders
for the championship. Wodtke is to Ander-
son DOiO IdIS WHAT DOWcy Is 10 the ZlOn-
lists Mercer has been forgiven for his
quick display of temper because he Is
member OF the great Anderson team, and
the other players are little gods in the
eyes of the enthusiasts. So il can easily
be understood why many hearts ached
after Richmond had taken the first game
or the season from the local team.
While Anderson played poorly after the
first ten minutes OF play and richmond
work was far superior. the Anderson fans
should not lose faith in their team, for 1t
Is too early In the season to tell just how
fast the wearers Of the tan suits can play.
II Mercer can be compelled to curb his
temper and pay more attention to floor
work he would prove of worth to the team.
Aside from Gardeners rough tactics early
in the game MERGERS effort to strike Doh
erty with his club in the last period was
the only show OF rowdyism that married the
game. Mercer struck viciously at Doherty
and missed the Richmond's player head
about an inch. He then drove the ball at
the Richmond half back Simply because
IL was the first game of the season Referee
Redding refused TO order Mercer off the
floor.
The two teams were cheered when they
appeared on the floor, the home players
being apluaded to the echo. In the early
polo. considering 1t was the first game OF
the season. and when Mercer drove the ball
into Richmond's cage In 2:03 the spectators
were frantic with joy. But how quickly the
fans quit roofing when Richmond took the
lead. After Cunningham Gagged Richmond's
first goal in the first period the Quakers
played rings around Ii. Richmond's work
was fast and every member of the visiting
team shared In the victory that came to 1t.
Doherty's wonderful defense at half and
: Jcssups clever goal wqrs. prevented Ander-
son from scoring aslin. while the work Of
Bone and Cunnin sfam and Houghton. who
succeeded Cunningham, was fast and bril-
liant. After the first period nearly every
man on the Anderson team was "all in.
as no could stand the fast pace. The
horna players are not yet in good enough
condition for such a hard fought game.
wodtke retired from the game during the
second period with a slightly injured finger,
but his wind needed rest more than any
thing else. and he resumed play again in
the second period
When the Quakers tied the score II was
all over but the weeping Richmond
added two goals in the second period. and
one In the last. while Andersons efforts to
cage the ball were of no avail.
Considering that Anderson has been in
training for several days and that the Rich
naond team has had only a few days work,
the visitors victory was all the more sur
prising. Cunningham joined the team in
Anderson this evening and played his first
game Tonight. Lineup and summary: