Sport: Preliminary

The Defense Committee of the U. S. Polo Association (Messrs. Harry Payne Whitney, Louis E. Stoddard, Robert E. Strawbridge Sr., W. Averell Harriman, Devereux Milburn) formulated and announced an official answer to England’s challenge for the International Polo Cup. The answer:

No. 1. J. Watson Webb, Meadow Brook.

No. 2. Thomas Hitchcock Jr., Meadow Brook.

No. 3. Malcolm Stevenson, Meadow Brook.

Back, Devereux Milburn, Meadow Brook.

Team handicap total—38 goals.

Substitutes: Eric Pedley, Midwick Country Club, Calif.; Robert E. Strawbridge Jr., Bryn Mawr, Pa.; Earle Hopping, Bryn Mawr.

The “Big Four” thus designated, after weeks of trial play (TIME, Aug. 11), proceeded to practice daily together on Cochrane Field, at the Meadow Brook Club, Westbury, L. I. On Sept. 6, they will lock mallets on International Field (adjacent to Cochrane Field) with the invading Britons in a two-out-of-three series.

Meantime the Britons landed in Manhattan, joined Lieut. Col. T. P. Melvill, who had preceded them to the U. S. with their ponies. Donning leather, linen and pith, they galloped forth for their practice. They were:

No. 1. Lieut. Col. T. P. Melvill, a crack shot, a fine horseman, a skilled combination player.

No. 2. Major Geoffrey Phipps-Hornby; like all the British players, a hard rider and an accurate shot. Two years ago, seriously ill with diabetes, he went to India to recuperate. Last year, he played on the military team that won the Viceroy’s cup, thus winning consideration for the international side. His visit to the U. S. is a combined sporting trip and honeymoon. He married a week before sailing.

No. 3. Major F. B. Hurndall, seasoned and dexterous. Major Hurndall is, next to Luis Lacey, the strongest player on the visitors’ side. During the War, Major Hurndall’s ship was torpedoed off the Irish coast. He owes his life to a nun who, after doctors had declared him dead, rubbed his body for three hours with alcohol, restored him.

Back, Major Vivian Lockett, the only member who played for Great Britain in 1921,. He is a sturdy defense man with some ability on the offense as well.

On the sidelines, his shoulder muscles paining him, sat Luis Lacey, watching his countrymen. He is their only 10-goal player. His position is at Back. He had fallen in practice, aggrevated an old injury. It was doubtful that he would be in shape by Sept. 6, which doubt augmented the doubt of the visitors winning. Lacey, though he lives in the Argentine, is eligible for the British team from the fact that he was born a Canadian.

Also on the sidelines sat Majors T. W. Kirkwood and E. G. Atkinson, substitute No. 1 and No. 2 or 3, respectively.

Comparison. The English style of play differs from the American in several ways. Primarily, the English seldom hits their shots with the spectacular punch of a Milburn or a Hitchcock. They rely on expert horsemanship, which the present invaders possess to a greater degree than any of the Americans save Webb. They play a clever, maneuvering, short-passing game. In combination play, an English Back usually stays near his goal continually. No. 3, the pivotal man, pairs either with him or with No. 2, leaving No. 1 to “ride off” the opposing defense or play a lone hand. An American Back often sets off on field-long gallops to score. No. 3 then drops back. Nos. 1 and 2 try to pair together at all times.

A polo field is 300 yards long. Along each side of International Field, boxes and tiers of seats have been erected. On Sept. 6, notables will fill the boxes, other enthusiasts will perch upon the seats behind.