INTERNATIONAL POLO

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 296, 13 September 1927, Page 15

INTERNATIONAL POLO

MATCH FOR CHALLENGE CUP

AMERICANS BEAT BRITISH IN FIRST GAME

Br Telegraph.—press association. Copyright.

New York, September 10. The first game under the iiurhugham challenge lor tne international challenge cup between the British in luma and the united states Polo Association teams was played at Westbury to-uay; the second game will be played ou Wednesday, ana the third alter that, if it is necessary, two out ox three games taking the cup, which is now in the possession oi the United States. The British team is composed as follows: (1) Captain Pert, (2) Major Williams, (3) Captain itoark; back, Major Atkinson. It is believed to be stronger than the team ol British challengers nt 1924, and better mounted, having several excellent Australian ponies, supplied by the Maharajah of Kutlaui, adviser to the British team. He, with Viscount Cowdray, of the Hurlmgham (Tub, will see the matches, liie Americans play the same team as in 1924: (1) Webb, (.Z) Hitchcock, (3) Stevenson; back, Milburn. The United States won the first match in the international polo competition from the British by 13 goals to 3. In the first minute of the game Hitchcock shot a goal for the America us, to be followed towards the end of the chukker by another by Stevenson, giving them a lead of two goals. The American team play was superb. Tho play of the British, ou the other hand, was extremely inaccurate, but it warmed up in the second chukker and the Army team kept the ball nearly all the time in American territory. Twice Atkinson, who was play in gr like a demon, nearly shot a goal, but the chukker remained goalless. Atkinson shot a goal in tho third chukker. and Hitchcock two. The British play was now vastly improved, Atkinson and Pert hitting well and tollowing the ball. The Americans lourt h chukker made three goals, Hitchcock shooting two and Webb one Hitchcock’s mallet work was unequalled. In the fifth chukker Milburn scored two . sixth Hitchcock and Webb one each. In the seventh Webb scored one, and Boark oue for the Britlsm . Atkinson was often forced out of position by being compelled to plav the ball singly. The British missed many goals by inches, seeming to have illfortune after particularly good riding. In the eighth chukker Webb and Pert each got goals, giving the Americans the victory by 13 goals to 3.