Pueblo chieftain., 1921-06-19

NalIueS All are
fenced and skillful
Tom Hitchcock and ]. Watson Webb
are the Americans playing their first
International polo. The experience of
Louis r Stoddard in international
competition also is limited byt Dever-
euN Milburn. playing his fifth tourna-
ment, Will go far toward offsettinE any
tendency the younger Americans may
develop toward unsteadiness.
Tomorrow's match opens the eighth
internationa polo series between Eng
land and America. The first series was
played at Newport. II. l.. in 1886 when
the Americans, defending the cup. were
defeated in straight games. 10 to and
IA to 2. England won the only match
played in 1900 by a score of to 2.
In 1902, the American team ~hich
went to birmingham again was un-
successful. Altho winning tho hrst
game, the two succeeding contests were
American defeats by one-sided scores,
s 10 l and to i. The American quest.
however, WAS rewarded in 1909 when
the Big Four" Lawrence Waterbury,
j. NJ. Waterbury, II. p. Whitney ana
DeveneuN Milburn captured the trophy
in straight contests. The Americans
succeeded in defending successfully
thru two English invasions of Meadow
Brook but on the third trip to this
1914 in straight games. Sh to 3 and
to ~.
Were not tho financial requirements
of the game so stringent there Is no
doubt that 1t would he one OF the most
popular of sports. Tho cost OF polo
rather than the desires Of its patrons
makes the game exclusive
Polo is played on a field 300 yaros
long and 200 yards wide, with the play
crs mounted on thorobred ponies. To
tho observer the charging, swcrving.
dc-steppinE skill of the ponies is
moro than half tho game. The four
playcrs on n team are designated NO
i, No. ., No. and Back. Tho positions
OF the individuals vary with the pro-
gross Of the ball.
An OF side rule requires that one
man OF the opposing team must 10
between n player and the goal. CharG-
rrc. In polo takes the form OF FidinS
or an opponent. attempting to pre-
vent him from hitting tho ball or get
ting 1t.
A goal Is scored when tho bali is
driven between two posts set cignt
Yards apart The height at which the
ball passes the posts is immntcriai'
4 goal counts one point
or the players, the No. !. on attack.
is TO watch the opposing back clear
ing the way for his own side. inc
position Is one OF self-sacriiicc. II"
seldom gets the opportunity TO ride
thru" but usually stays close to the
opponents' back. No. has the onVI-
able position Of runner and Soal-scoreF
and gains most applause from specta-
tors who appreciate chiefly hasny
work. He II often termed the "hyins
man of tho team.
The duties of No 5 arc divided al
most equally between Offensive and
dofcnsivc duty and his is one OF the
most strenuous of tho positions. NC
hampers the opposing forwards. aia
ing his back and feeds his NO. :
The Back. usually the teams mos,
experienced player guards his goal and
places the ball for the forwards HIS
position OF observation makes him ma
turaliy the strato-ist of III" team
Penalties mainly arc exnctcd for the
dangerous practice OF cross-ridinS. inc
crookinE OF mallcts or hors~rn5,nship o'
any kind which may bc dangerous 10
an opponent. a rystan OF penalties
similar to that used IN England. wa,
,aoptc.i by the Polo association of
America last year and Will he used
In tho matches at birmingham nfN'
month This code provides for Tree
hit for gollH by an opponent OF th'
-idc- on whom tho foul II called. th'
distance from tho goal varying IN
vcrs~Iy with the seriousness or the
r1tlc Infraction. Formerly. fouls wcc'
punished hy tho deduction OF pom
or fraction Of a point from the score
of tho offending team. a referee u
the a-hitcr lie, like tho players. Is
moun,bd. There will he no height re-
strirtions ~ far rs tho mounts nr'
conro rre-d IN tho coming matches. rnf
merry, the Hurlingham ruio limited th'
ponies to ite hnndn.