The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-06-15
ADDITIONAL SPORTS
AMERICAN POLO TEAM
LOST FIRST GAME

Meadowbroow Polo club, Westbury,
L. l., June 15.-Completely demorallzeo
by the speed and teamwork OF the
English challengers, the American
team went down to defeat in the hrst
game match for the international polo
cup by a score of s 1-2 to 3. After the
first furry In the opening period the
defending four never held sway, and
were outplayed and outsprinted by
the Britishers and the English ponies.
The defeat was a great surprise 10
the majority of the 10000 spectators
America was 10 to 7 favorites in wag-
stands, however, applauded the clever
exhibition of the visitors. Their super
iority was apparent with the hrst DeIl
and appeared to upset the defenders
who never recovered the form shown
In recent practice games until the clos
ing minutes, when the Americans set
tied down and gave the first indications
Of team play which they were supposed
Tuesday. The winners must take TWO
out of three.
Best Invaders.
The ~challengers gave the finest ex-
hibition of team work ever seen In an
invading four. Both on attack and de-
Tense they played the ball into each
others hand, taking few unwarranted
chances, and the success of these tao
tics vas proved by the score and ease
by which they captured the first leg in
the 1914 trophy series. 1t was not
alone in teamwork that the English
players excelled, however, for their
stick work was a revelation. At either
forehand or backhand driving they out
classed the defenders and the length
and direction of their strikes showed
the benefits gained by the long pre-
liminary practice season which began
in Madrid early in the winter.
Americans Were Weak.
The American four was far weaker
ALa. rror 49, nnuA Loot IynoN nnH In
addition was called upon to face a
team which surpassed in skill and
speed the combination which just fall
ed to lift the cup in 1918. The absence
Of former Captain Harry Payne-Whit-
ney appeared to break up the perfect
combination play for which the Big
Four" has been noted for years. Rene
La Montague, who played at No. /,
Tense even when backed by Captain
Monte Waterbury, n the burden OF
the rushes into the English end of the
field was finally shouldered by the cap
tagne was exceedingly wild in his
stroking, and repeatedly missed COM
p~arattvely Easy chances to score goals.
In several instances he carried the ball
at the crucial moment by a poorly d.
rected shot.
English Ponies Faster.
This confusion was communicated to
the other players, all veterans of sew
eral international matches, n they
OVERRIDE the ball, missed easy strokes
and were easily out-ridden by their
English opponents. They were further
handicapped by the fact that in turning
the sprints up n down the field the
English, ponies were faster on their
feet and better handled. This kept the
play almost entirely in the American
end of the field except when the Amer
leans succeeded by individual effort in
rushing the ball down the turf to the
Union Jack goal.
The score was the largest run UP in
recent years by either United states
or English teams in a cup match. Not
since the big Four defeated the Hur-
linton ! 8 to 2 in the final game of
the 1909 SERIES when the cup was re-
gained, have Saturdays figures been
exceeded. The game also deyeIoned
the quickest goal ever made in inter-
national cup play when Captain cheape
scored within ten seconds after the
throw in at the beginning of the fourth
period.