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THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 21, 1939
International Polo Rules.
Revised
Need For Uniformity In Umpiring:
HURLINGHAM PROPOSALS
(By R. SHEEPSHANKS)
In polo, owing to the pace at which the game is played, the different angles from which any particular point is viewed, and the strict necessity for providing by rule against the risk of serious ac- cident, differences of opinion frequently arise regarding the correct interpretation of the rules in their application to particular incidents.
Not so long ago, for instance, the spectators at an important
game in London were enlivened British
by an eminent bút irascible play- er striding into the pavilion at the conclusion of the match and announcing in a stentorian voice: "The trouble about this game is that the umpires don't know the rules."
These differences are constantly be- ing referred to the legislative authori- ties for the game in England, America and India, and the decisions upon them) have led to certain variations between,
tries.
WESTCHESTER POLO CUP DATES FIXED
Los Angeles.
Mr. John Lakin, a member of the British team challenging for the Westchester Cup, may well have established a record when he went out to practico here only six and a half days after; leaving · London.
The Westchester Cup matches take place at Meadowbrook, Long Island, on June 4, 11 and 18, states Mr. Robert Strawbridge, Jar.. chairman of the United States Polo Association.
Westchester Cup Team Preparing
MR. GERALD BALDING ON THE
PROSPECTS
New York.
1
Westcott
Scores Two Great Goals
WOLVES ENTER CUP SEMI-FINAL
London, March 4. By two o'clock there were over 50,000 people present at the Molineux, ground for the tie be- tween Wolverhampton Wander- ers and Everton, and some of the gates had to be closed. Ambul- ance men were busy. A quarter of an hour before the start work- men endeavoured to drain water which had formed in pools in front of each goalmouth, follow- ing the heavy rain.
Everton brought in Watson at left-half in place of Thomson, who was unfit. Wolverhampton start- ed with a fierce rush, and within a couple of minutes Everton were twice penalised. Dorsett tried a long shot when Sagar was out of his goal, but the ball went wide. The British polo team, which is to challenge the United States The players had difficulty in keep- the rules in force in the different coun- for the Westchester Cup for the fourth time since 1921, are nowing their feet on the slippery
preparing for their practice matches at Midwick, California. The turf, but the football With the increase in interest in in-Cup matches take place at Meadowbrook, Long Island, in June.
was al- ways fast and thrilling.
Everton, showing plenty of confid- Mr. Gerald Balding who has ence, held their own well, and Boyes, arrived there from India to join on the left wing, caused the home de- other members of the team in an Mullen centred finely in a Wolves'. at-
fence some anxious moments. interview, said: "We are trying tack, and Everton were lucky to escape to do this thing thoughtfully and this danger. The Wolves were quicker thoroughly. The attitude is that on the ball, but could make no impres- we have been losing gracefully sion on a dour Everton defence. and putting on a good show long enough. It is time we regained the Cup. Nothing will do British polo or British sport in general more good just at this time.
ternational polo, the desirability of having a uniform international code has been recognised, and the task of} (WWKU drafting one has been undertaken by: the Hurlinghum Rules Committee, with the full approval of the American and Indian Polo Associations.
TO APPLY TO ALL COUNTRIES
ig
WEDNESDAY HELD TO DRAW
BY CHESTERFIELD
London, To-day. In a Second Division League match held yea- terday, Sheffield Wednesday were held at home to a goalless draw by Chesterfield.--Reuter.
The chairman of the committee Lord Louis, Mountbatten who is equal- ly well known as a first-class exponent of the practice of the game and as pou- sessing a thorough knowledge of the theory and rules. Under his auspices |||||||||||22|||||||||| a great amount of work has been done with the utmost thoroughness.
with professionalism.
+
SHORTER PERIODS
50
MOVE CAREFULLY
work,
I think
DEFENCES PREVAIL
Once
them-
The defences prevailed, Cullis keep- ing a firm hold on Lawton, and Jones subduing Westcott Wolves seemed a little careless, and Everton in swift bursts always looked likely to score. The English, American and Indian should either take a nerve tonic or take
timidated by riding which is not
Boyes was always a menacé, and once rules have been collated, the differ to some game other than polo.
he nearly caught Scott napping with ences between them have been pointed, The difficulties which arise in umpir- from one stage to another in pre-tween the teams. Lawton twice nearly "We are going to move carefully quick shot. For the first half an out, and the
hour there was nothing to chose be- proposed international ing cases of crossing are mainly due rules have been stated, with explana- to the great latitude given to umpires paration. The reports that I have of scored; he had bad luck tory notes. They are now in circula-in awarding penalties for it,
the second tion to the Polo Associations throughly a cross was either dangerous or not. shape for this atage of the game. which made the young
Former-the ponies are that they are in fine time when he slipped in the goalmouth, out the world. It is proposed that. If dangerous, the penalty was
Everton showed B superb defence, B 40-
Wolves' ``for- We are going to bring them along wards slow and uncertain. Jones play- when agreed upon, they shall apply wherever polo is played, it being left yard hit at an open goal. If not, no
slowly, In these early matches, weed finely at centre-half for the visitors. open to cach country to frame for itself penalty was incurred.
Subsequently, it was enacted any supplementary rules which its pe- degrees of danger should be recognis-outfit.
that shall not try to be a high-scoring Mullen was too closely marked to have much chance, and Maguire proved the .culiar circumstances may call for.
Such a rule, for instance, will be the award a 60-yard hit at a packed goal
ed, and umpires were empowered to "We'll win some of these early ward.
most dangerous Wolverhampton for- In a great struggle Everton be- English one barring professionalism, as an alternative to the 40-yard penal games and lose others, perhaps, but gan to look the better side, and some which is held to be required in this country, but not in America or India, The difference is an immense one. the main thing is that we'll work times it took three men to look after where polo has never been threatened in the 40-yard case the odds are 4 to 1out our combination carefully and Lawton.
on a goal; in the 60-yard case they are bring our ponies along slowly. By
BEATEN ALL THE WAY 5 to 1 against.
ran Wolverhampton almost the time we return to Long Island selves to a standstill in the first half, JMPIRES AND PENALTIES
in May for the final Then, two minutes from half-time, The object of the committee has been
of The result was that a tendency de- stages to unify and clarify the rules, making
Westcott scored ♫ grand goal. The possible. A noticeable amendment, so posing the severer penalty in close and rounded polo combination with no yards, feinted, and put in as few amendments of substances as veloped among umpires to avoid im- we shall be able to show you a well- young centre seized on the ball from a crowd of players, went on a couple of far as England is concerned, is that important games, and to conte triking necessity for last-minute changes.
1 terrific the English rule regarding the length selves with the lesser one.
shot, which beat Sagar all the way" A striking of the playing period will in future instance of this will be remembered by
Within five minutes of the re-start FULLY 60 PER CENT,
Everton lost the services of Watson, .conform to America and India, making those who saw the 1930 international it 7 minutes instead of eight. When matches. A corresponding tendency
who collided with Dorsett and had to "The pony string," he continued, be taken off the field. He quickly re- this time has elapsed the period will developed among venturesome players terminate either, as in the present rule, to take a chance in the matter of cross- "is fully 60 per cent of any polo sumed, however, and for a few min- when the ball hits the boards or asing in the hope of incurring only the team's strength Those of us who utes the Wolverhampton defence was soon as the umpires hold it to be in a minor penalty. This is the reason why have played at Meadow-brook know played grandly, but had little
hard pressed. The Everton forwards neutral position,
so many games have been spoilt in re- This shortening of the period will be cent years by the frequent use of the what the strength of the American Macquire was outstanding in -welcomed, by ponies and their owners, whistle.
pony string will be. But this time I Wolves' attack, and Westcott for it is at the end of a period that The draft rules-unfortunately, as think I can predict definitely' that another goal for them after an hour ponies which have been hard ridden some may think-leave this position as we shall not be out-mounted or out- he shook off several challenges and when, following a free kick by Taylor, throughout are apt to break down. it is. So far as this country is con-
run."
beat Sagar easily from close in. The all-important rule regarding corned, it is likely to be improved by
drawn .crossing has been entirely redrafted the decision to appoint a Chief Umpire. The string of 50 ponies
WESTCOTT'S COOLNESS and rearranged. One substantive for England. He will be appointed by from India, England and the Ar- amendment to it is proposed to the ef- the London Polo Committee, and will gentine, has been slowly rounding took his chances was typical of the fect that a player is to be penalised officiate at each London club in turn into condition at Del Monte, Cali- Wolves forwards, whose ball control, for entering or crossing the "right of during the season, He will also tour way," not only when his doing so is the country clubs when not on duty in fornia, under the supervision of positioning, and opportunism were al dangerous, but also when it interferes town.
Mr. Tyrrell-Martin and Major Ro-most uncanny. Mullen, the sixteen-year- with the stroke of the player in pos-
bert Leaf. The ponies were moved old winger, all but scored with a shrewd shot from the wing, Sagar hav- .session.
recently to the Midwick Country ing difficulty in tipping the ball over Club.
the bar. Everton fought every inch of the way, but by this time: Wolver- hampton were right on top.
UNIFORMITY
This amendment is akin to the Eng- This appointment will doubtless lead lish rule passed last year against into a greater degree of uniformity in timidation; that is to say, riding to umpiring, and to a better understand- wards an opponent in a way, which heling of decisions,
ENGLAND SOCCER TEAM TO
luck...
the scored
The coolness with which. Westcott:
The last ten minutes saw: Everton tire perceptibly and they appeared to have given up all hope. Wolves, by contrast, finished on the top note and :- played super football in the mud. Even
may think to be dangerous, though it All followers of polo will be sincere- is not really so. It is to be hoped that ly grateful to the Hurlingham Polo As-
MEET SCOTLAND the amendment and the intimidation sociation, and in particular to Lord rule will both be dropped /
Louis Mountbatten and Lt.-Col. Gan- PENALTY
non for the pains they have taken over The England soccer team to meet the revision of the rules, and will re- Scotland in the international soccer if they were below form, Wolves prov cognise the skill with which their match at Glasgow on April 15 will be ed much the better side and well de- difficult task has been performed. chosen in London on March 27.
served to qualify for the semi-final.
The penalty should be confined to riding which is, in fact, dangerous, and
a player who allows himself to be in-