The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-08-29

By LAWRENCE PERRY.

New York, Aug. 29.-lt Is ward
to set definite judgment upon the
play of foreign polo teams in the
matches decided upon the Rnmson
field to date. There is small douOt
that ponies have not become accli-
mated and that their riders have
been unable to play up to their best
form under conditions that are new
and strange to all Of them.
For example, the Argentine four
which somewhat Unexpectedly was
put out of the present tournament
by the Orange county outfit has
been playing all year on the hard
fields Of England and the soft con-
ditions of the Rumson turf found
them all at sea in their judgment
Of driving distance.
This, also, may and probably did
affect the playing of. their mounts,
Just as the ponies of the Eastcott
team on Monday we're inferior to
the Flamingo gallopers. AS to Wis
iting players all Of them thus far
have played below their, reputed
form with the exception of l.. L.
Lacey of the Argentine four and
MAJOR Hurndall of the Eastcott
team. These two men are on their
game in every respect and If their
comrades pull up to them in the
matter Of stroking and horseman-
ship the foreign teams will make
more trouble for our players than
they have yet made.
1t is interesting to note that the
veteran internationalist, Major Wv
ian Lockett, of whom SO much was
expected, has been playing well be-
low. his handicap thus far. There
were some who watched his play in
the Eastcott Flamingo game of
Monday who shook their heads and
declared that the old tockett was
no more, that he had slipped as the
Waterbury brothers and Harry
Whitney slipped after the interna-
tional match of 1914. It may be
that he has, but those who know
Lockett's in and out charactefts-
tics are not prepared to grant that
he is yielding to the years. At least
they will await further evidence as
to this before they relegate this
great English back to the class of
has-beens.
All in all, as the present situa 1
tion stands, American polo and
strings of American polo mounts
have gained added luster as a. re-
suit of tests to date.
There may still be opportunity
for a real polo match between the
and the American Or
ange county four. Saturdays re-
suit Of Is to 10 in favor of the
was complete upset.
With no detraction. meant as to the
battle the Americans put up, there
is no question but what the soggy,
cuppy field was to their advantage.
The last period was thriller. Both
teams utterly disregarded the dan
ger contained in the condition of
the ground.
The defeat puts the Argentinians
out OF the fight for the coveted
Herbert memorial cup, the trophy
that they were so certain would 20
south with them. And they were
not the only ones surprised. Con-
sidering the manner in which they
up pretty nearly every
thing in the shape of cups and tro-
phies in England against the best
the English could offer, the Amer
lean winners themselves admitted
that they had hoped only to keep
the score down by putting the las.
ounce Of themselves and their DO
MES into the fray.
However, if the Orange county
four wins the memorial, the com
mittee plans to stage an exhibition
Dr. consolation game between the
and the Americans.
And everyone is hoping that the
lay on which they meet a sec md
time is clear overhead and some
what more stable under foot than
On Saturday. II conditions are
right great game can be ex-
pected.
The Argentinians showed their
raining along the Harry Payne
Whitney team work lines. They
are as hard hitting an aggregation
IS have ever played around New
York. Lacey of the visitors par
.icularly hits the ball hard and
rue He reminds one much of
LarrY Waterbury