The New York herald., 1922-09-02
AMERICAS ABILITY
IN POLO Is PROVED
Herbert Memorial Cup Matches
Show Strength of United
States Players.
by CAPT. H. H. HOLMES.

RUMsoN. N. j., Sept. 1.--During the
first weeks games at the Rumson
Country Club the quality Of American
polo was amply demonstrated by the
victory of three OF the teams when
opposed to the representatives from the
Argentine. England and Ireland. The
fourth side, captained by Devereux Mil
burn. has yet to play against one Of
the foreign aggregations.
Plenty OF excuses can be found for
the losing players. but at the moment
II seems unlikely that any very radical
reverses of the form shown will occur
this season. However, all the visiting
teams are suffering from the great ham
dicap OF having to ride ponies that are
stale or even still feeling the effects
of the voyage over. This alone is sufii-
cient excuse for losing games, but the
condition should cease to exist before
many days when It will be seen what
really fine players are here from other
countries.
In the opening game at Rumson Il
was asking lot Of the Argentine team
to try to give the Orange County four
start Of ive goals. especially as the
latter team was right on top OF its
form. At half time it looked fairly
easy proposition for the South Ameri-
cans. but after the interval their ponies
were unable to do themselves or their
owners Justice.
They are fine lot OF mounts and will
show before long that there Is not
better mounted team contesting in these
International games. The players them
selves lack nothing In condition. hitting
ability. tactics or horsemanship, a very
hne aggregation that made 1t very easy
TO understand in their game against the
Orange County team the reason for
their extraordinary success In England.
The Irish team was obviously out
mounted by the brilliant Shelbourne side
and In addition, owing to bad fall over
the side brands. had to play with
skipper that was obviously suffering
from his very nasty spill. Capt. Could
Ing and his team put up very plucky
exhibition and after couple more
games together will be seen to better
advantage
The very flippant and dashing Fla
mingo quartet had very little difficulty
In playing the English team on almost
even terms. While they were allowed
seven goals by handicap. the American
four scored only one less tally than their
opponents.
Obviously 1t was not the true form OF
the visiting players. who, with the ex-
ception Of Major Hurndall, were very
deficient OF the necessary stick work
that one expects from a good team.
Major Hurndall. however, played very
courageous game. his very ubiquitous
forward saving the team from what
might have been a very demoralizing and
unpleasant whipping.
In the light OF the semi-final that the
Flamingo team won against Shelbourne
this defeat does not seem so bad. The
top notch four captained by Louis Stod-
dard, displayed poor hitting and at no
time indicated they were an eight goal
better team than the eventual winners,
who thoroughly deserved their victory.
The best game SO far was the one be-
tween Meadow Brook. captained by
Devereux Milburn, and Orange County.
which put the Long Island team into the
finals. 1t was pleasure TO watch these
two teams in a great struggle that re-
Elected credit on all the players. Of
course, Milburn and Hitchcock, the for
mer In spite Of a hurt wrist, created
much enthusiasm with the crowd for
their extraordinary fine exhibition OF
hitting.
In the open championship. which COM
mences on Monday with two matches. 1t
is quite possible tht one or two OF the
decisions will be reversed. This event
is played on the flat to the consequent
disadvantage Of the Irish. F'lamingo and
Orange County teams, but surprises are
not unknown In the great galloping
game.