Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-06-22
~ LAURENc

BY LAURENc
Better combination work and more
accurate goal shooting enabled the
Maui four to defeat Oahu at polo on
rain-soaked field Saturday after
noon last. II was an exciting game to
watch, but poor one judged by the
best standards of the game, for the
players were all over the field good
part Of the time, which resulted in a
good deal Of wild riding. Without
detracting in the least from the merit
OF Mani,s victory, it may be said that
the break OF polo luck was just lit
tie in favor OF the visitors Three
times Well.hit balls ne efed within an
inch or SO of the Maui goal line, and
on several occasions scoring shots
were stopped BY the ponies legs. This
last went double, however. and it was
about stand-off between the two
teams, as to diverted shots.
Mani's old reliable four look the
field, although the men had switched
positions so that every member Of
the team was playing new number.
The soggy ground, and also the fact
that the Oahu team had not perfect
ed its combination. tended also to
tumble up the invaders, and 1t was
not possible to Judge the true strength
OF the new Maui arrangement 1t will
take q slashing, hard-fought game to
determine whether the general switch
has strengthened the team. The Val
ley Islanders are sure to. meet strong
er opposition In the regular iutarsis-
land tournament next fail, for Oahu
will have an increased handicap of
three goals when Walter Dillingham;
returns and there is the chance Of
an all,army team, picked from the
cavalry and field artillery, that will
make both island tours work hard
to maintain civilian polo supremacy.
Field Very Soft.
Up to noon Saturday there was
doubt as to whether the game could
be played, on account of persistent
rain, but postponement was out OF the
question for the Maui team. and it
was case of play or ship the ponies
home and call the whole affair off
The Moanalua field looked fit enough,
but in reality 1t was very soft. and
toward the Ewa-makai corner little
better than a bog. Three balls were
stamped out Of sight by the ponies,
and the ground soon cut up so that
accurate hitting was impossible. The
ball took all sorts Of queer bounces
and many stroke that would ordin-
ariiy come off as intended, resulted
in either clean miss or q weak. half
top. Added to the handicap Of poor
grounds, half-gale was blowing down
field during the greater part of the
game. The physical exeTtion of ever
swinging a stick against It, let alone
driving the ball up hill on q water
soaked turf can only be appreciated
by those who have tried the expert
ment. Taken as whole, then. there
are several reasons why the game
was not up to former standards, and
plenty Of excuse for some Of the poor
work displayed.
Changed Lineup.
Oahu won the toss and Of course
elected TO knock down hill and with
the wind. The teams lined up for
the initial throW-in as follows:
Oahu w Macfarlane. s. Bald.
win. II. K Il Castle. r. W Shing1e.
Maui Al. w. Collins, u. f. Baldwin,
ID. Fleming, II. w. Rice.
Oahu caught the ball on the throw
In. and pressed the Maui goal, but
the shot was wild. After q little iip
and down play. Maui drove the BAN
steadily toward the mauka posts. and
Frank Baldwin shot q fine. straight
goal There was some exciting Play
at the lower end of the field. and
then Maui was looked half goal
when Rice leaned over Castles pony
and hooked sticks. Just IS Castle was
getting away with the ball The last