Back to Album belonging to Colonel F F Colvin 9L (1860-1936). Contains newspaper cuttings and paper ephemera
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Item 0076
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| Accession number | 912L : 2124/6 |
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| Transcription |
COLOREAR OR RAS ADA BOLDALOAD TUURG I between the 9th Lancers and the 10th Hussars on July 4 , in my last week's budget , so let me now make a cast back , and pick up the thread of my narrative . The match between two such crack teams was naturally looked forward to , for previous form pointed to the fact that in Military Cup , and so , in spite of a damp , drizzling atmos phere , a good many people flocked down to Hurlingham to see the rivals fight out their battle . It will be remembered that last year the final issue for the Cup lay between the 9th and 10th , and those who were present will recall how , after a very stubborn fight , the 9th just nianaged to win by three goals to two . The large majority by which they conquered this year came , therefore , as a surprise to many . The 10th were , however , not so strong as they were last year , and though Captain the Hon E. Baring and Lord William Bentinck , the two new members of their team , played remarkably well , yet the loss of Captain the Hon . H. Allsopp and Captain Fisher was un doubtedly felt , whilst the 9th had the advantage of being represented by a team who had played together for years . And now to play . A little before four o'clock the follow . ing two teams rauged up : 9TH LANCERS . 1. Captain W. Jenner 2. Captain F. Colvin 3. Captain Malcolm Little Captain J. Lamont ( back ) Colours But My E. W. Baird ( back ) Red and yellow . Colours Black , red , and white . Umpires : Captain T. Hone and Mr. John Watson . The game begins with a fierce scrimmage , out of which Captain Jenner , on the grey Syrian , Algiers , is the first to emerge in possession of the ball . After it has twice been in " touch , " the 9th manage to get it up by the Chesnuts goal , where , after a while , and after a gallant attempt by Lord William Bentinck to change the scene of conflict , they hit behind . After some spirited runs , in which Captain Little shows some fine form , the 9th repeat this feat , and the fight waxes hot . In fact , so fierce does the contest rage , so deter mined are both sides , that it might , indeed , have been a combat à outrance instead of a game of friendly rivalry , and this idea must have been uppermost in the mind of one elderly lady amongst the spectators , for she remarked , in a tone that was decidedly cheery con sidering the deplorable results that her prophecy por tended , " I really think some one will be killed ! you need not have been alarmed , madam ; the gentlemen who are playing not only are good horsemen and good players , but their ponies are well trained , and you will not see them banging into and crossing each other recklessly ! Then , after a fierce struggle , Captain Hughes Onslow flashes down on a comely chesnut , and for a while the 10th get a shade the best of the conflict . The advantage is but transient ; Captain Lamont sends the ball back with a sound smack . Captain Little , on Arab Chief , carries it on right gallantly ; then , leaving the ball for Captain Colvin , that gentleman has a shot at goal , but misses . A few scrim mages , the ball often in " touch , " and Captain Little , on Sister Sue , rattles up fifty miles an hour , but the pace he is going causes him to miss the ball , and Captain Lamont , coming up behind with a wet sail on that fine - shaped pony , Tommy , makes his effort . A good one it is , and the hit a remarkably fine one , but a slight error in direction makes all the difference , and the ball just misses the opening between the goal posts . Then at last , after some determined play on either side , during a hot scrimmage in front of the 10th's goal , Captain Little tips the ball in and the 9th score first honours . After some rattling play , in which considerable talent is displayed all round , marred by the ball being frequently in " touch , " the 10th get the ball up close to their adversaries ' goal - a scrimmage , a clashing of sticks , for one instant the ball trembles on the verge of the goal - line , and then somehow , by whom done t'is impos sible to say , it moves an inch or two inwards , and , though it is a near thing , the umpires decide in favour of the 10th . So ends a hard - fought bout , leaving the score one goal all . ends a 10TH HUSSARS . 1. Captain Hong E. Baring 2. Captain Hughes Onslow 3. Lord William Bentinck race . After this the 9th go steadily to the front , and the determined opposition they meet with avails nought . In vain do Lord William Bentinck Captain Hughes Onslow , and Captain the Hon . E. Baring make the most determined attacks , in vain does Mr. Baird , in the most crafty manner , endeavour to change defence into attack , their efforts are always foiled . Now , Mr. Jenner threading his way with marvellous quickness through the galloping throng , gets hold of the ball , now Captain Little dashes to the front in a series of brilliant and dashing runs ; and somehow the ball , though constantly in " touch , " seems to have a decided attraction towards the 10th's goal . See , there is a grand Captain Little on Arab Chief , and Mr. Baird on Euphrates , are thundering along . Neck and neck the proud Easterns stride along . Sticks are out , and the object might be the nobler and more animate quarry of a lusty old boar , so keen is the rivalry displayed . " Tis a toss up who will get the best of it ; but fortune favours the Lancer , and with a dextercus shove , a bit of strategy on which his opponent has not calculated , Captain Little tips the ball through the goal - posts . Then soon after Captain Lamont scores with a rare strong hit , which brings forth thunders of applause from friends and foes alike . Thank goodness the spirit chivalry is not quite dead amongst us , and the same spirit that incited the ranks of Tusculum to cheer the gallant Horatius in " the brave days of old , " even now pervades the hearts of English men and women , and a gallant feat of horsemanship , or a dexterous hit meets with the admiration it deserves . Some of of the remarks one hears on such occasions are amusing . Here is one which tickled me immensely Captain Jenner was playing very prettily , taking the ball through a host of enemies , now hitting the ball on the off - side , now on the near , and once under his pony's belly , successfully foiling every attempt to ride him off , the while his good pony , Amir , dodged , turned , twisted , and followed the ball like Two interest . quoth thee were watching the proceedings with elder , tones of surprise , that man's pony plays polo as well as his rider ! " Her com panion , who was younger and evidently had seen a good deal of the game , replied , " Play polo ! Of course , they all do ! " Yes , madam , you are right ; all the ponies you see playing to - day know their business well ; did they not , you may be sure they would find new owners . This goal ends the second period , when the score stands - 9th Lancers , three goals ; 10th Hussars , one . During the final bout the issue was never in doubt , and though the 10th fought with all the determination that had characterised their play throughout , they could not make much headway , nor could their No. 1 bully the 9th " back " sufficiently . Of brilliant individual play there were many instances , but perhaps none were more conspicuous than Captain Jenner and Captain Little , of the 9th , and Captain Hughes Onslow , of the 10th . They all covered themselves literally " all over with glory . " But , as in life the weakest always goes to the wall , so , as their adversaries scored goal after goal , the efforts of the 10th to retaliate became weaker , till at the end of the period , after Captain Little and Captain Jenner had each hit a brace of goals , and Captain Lamont had added his share of one , the score stood - 9th Lancers , eight goals ; 10th Hussars , one . Yes , polo is a great game . A game limited , unfortunately , in its best form , to those blessed with long purses , but rare sport , nevertheless , and one of which a spectator may see and enjoy much . True , he cannot participate in its inmost delights ; not for him the kernel , the heart and soul of its joys , but yet he sees much , and can , if he be content with more sober pleasures , derive much genial enjoyment from witnessing a good game . And this enjoyment was , I think , experienced by one honoured veteran , who , as he saw his son playing right well , must have felt a glow of pride , as the son of so gallant a sire was ever to the front , and he must have recalled the old Mutiny days , when in many a bloody field , in many a gallant charge , his own name was on every one's lips . And you who play , who can indulge in the maddening excitement of a " run , " or a " hustle , " and experience the wild delight of getting away with a lead , you , indeed , drain the cup of pleasure to its dregs , but we too , who look on , e'en though we tremble on the brink of fogey dom , we , too , can feel our souls fired by your " deeds of derring do , " and as we feel the hot blood surge up in our veins , some of us , I ween , would give almost all we possess to change places with you for the moment . Pooh ! a mad enthusiast ! you will exclaim . Well , so I may be , but a " scuffle " always had , and always will have , an attraction for me , even though I come off second best . I cannot help the feeling , so withold your contempt , I pray , and bear with me . rivals . Of course it was impracticable to play the final tie on Saturday , so it had to be postponed till 4.30 on Monday , when a good many mustered to see how the Royals would acquit themselves against their formidable A good many ladies put in an appearance , and most of them , I was glad to see , were prepared to brave the elements with waterproofs and umbrellas , both of which were needed before play was over . Every soldier who could get leave , even slightly horsey , got and whose inclination was to Hurlingham , whilst four coaches drove down , and there was a fair sprinkling of spectators on the lawn . Of course , the attendance was nothing like what it would have been had the weather been fine , yet quite sufficient to give life and animation to the scene . But let me get on forrard to the game . At about 4.45 , out came the two teams , who were composed thus : 1ST ROYAL DRAGOONS . 1. Mr. A. Mesham 2. Mr. F. Y. M'Mahon 3. Captain C. R. Burn Mr. Percy Brown ( back ) Colours : Yellow and red . 9TH LANCERS . 1. Captain W. Jenner 2. Captain Malcom Little 3. Captain F. Colvin Captain J. Lamont ( back ) Colours : Red and yellow . where Almost Umpires : Captain T. Hone and Mr. A. E. Peat . Mr. Arthur Mesham , on Darkey , is the first to get the ball out of the preliminary scrimmage , but Captain Jenner , on Algiers , soon ousts him from his pride of place , and after and the ball being constantly in " touch , " the 9th gradually some slow play , owing to the sodden state of the ground , work the ball up towards the Chesnuts goal , Captain Jenner deftly tips it in with a very pretty near side - stroke , close to the goal - post . directly the ball is thrown in Captain Jenner gets away with it , and , running it down in very brilliant form , scores a second goal , in spite of Captain Burn's determined have been studying the Ain - i - Akbara , for he won this goal , efforts to foil him . " I think that Captain Jenner must and brought into practice at other times a form of play that was extant in the days of the great Akbar . At that time there were two forms of playing ( chaugan , as it was then called ) known respectively as belah , the pushing game , and rol , the hitting game . Now , Captain Jenner on this thus often foiled the efforts of an adversary bent on hooking and subsequent occasions employed the former stroke , and his stick at a critical moment . It certainly was a dodge that payed , when hitting was impracticable , and often proved invaluable . But to resume . The effect of having lost two goals within a few minutes evidently rouse the Royals to action , for , led uninteresting : by Mr. McMahon , they attack hotly . Scrimmage succeeds scrimmage , and the ball is often in " touch , " but still they fight it up by degrees , a task which they find the more easy as Captain Jenner loses a stirrup leather , and has to gallop away for a fresh one . At last they hit behind , which feat , after a smart scuffle , they repeat . Still keeping the ball up by the Chesnuts , Captain Burn , who is riding that smart black pony , Mermaid , to whom I referred last week , has a shot at goal , which he only just misses . Then Captain Lamont hits off , and his first smack at the ball not being very strong , he follows it up , but misses his stroke . In darts Captain Burn , and before any of the enemy can reach him , scores a good goal . This ends the first period , when the score stands - 9th Lancers , two goals ; Royals , one . Emboldened with their success , the Royals now attack vigorously , and for a brief space the ball revolves in a circle by their adversaries ' goal ; and though Captain Jenner and Captain Little take it up by the band stand , Mr. Browne , on Honeymoon , sweeps it round and down , till that abomi nable " touch " spoils his well - made effort . Yard by yard the 9th now force back their assailants , and though the stick wielded by Mr. Browne is in a master hand , and he sends the ball back with unerring precision , yet Captain Lamont is equally a professor of defence , and steadily the ball creeps up towards the Chesnuts . Then , after a deal of rather slow play and many scrimmages in mid - ground , the 9th hit behind . After a desperate effort on the part of the Royals , who attack so energetically that they force the 9th to hit behind in self defence - the latter , led by Captains Little and Jenner , rattle up , and a storm of hoof - strokes sweep the sward as friend and foe thunder in their rear . Then a scuffle in front of the Royals ' goal , a surging mass of ponies and whirling sticks And backwards now and forward . Wavers the deep array ; the 9th . till Captain Jenner , with a lucky back - hander , scores for In no wise discouraged , the Royals for a while keep the ball away from their own goal , till a quick turn , in which Captain Colvin does good work on the somewhat plain but muscular Arab , Pharoah , ends in " touch . " More galloping , the ball often missed , and " touch " intervenes again most in opportunely . There are many gallant feats on both sides , and once more the Royals assert themselves , and getting the ball down by the 9th goal , in a scrimmage , Mr. McMahon , on the handy Desdemona , nips in as Captain Lamont misses his stroke , and scores a good goal . This ends a very hard fought period , leaving the score - 9th Lancers , three goals ; Royals , two . The following summary of the tournament may not be Numerous were the congratulations showered on victors and vanquished alike , and soon the crowd began to melt away , many of them - quorum pars fui - glad to once more restore circulation by a brisk walk , after the cold period spent in watching this good game - for good it was in spite of its enforced slowness . Too much praise cannot be awarded to the Royals for the gallant fight they made ; they played the game as it should be played , as indeed did the 9th , and what was perhaps remarkable , and which speaks much for both sides , I did not hear one objection made of " fouling " or being " offside . " One word to those who may be at distance , and read these lines . If you want some good polo ponies apply to the 9th Lancers . I saw that several were advertised for sale in the pavilion , and they are a rare good lot . FIRST TIES . 10th Hussars beat 14th Hussars by 10 goals to 1st Royal Dragoons beat 12th Lancers by 9 goals to . 9th Lancers beat 8th Hussars by 6 goals to 2 . 4th Hussars beat Royal Horse Guards by 5 goals to 1 . Royal Artillery ( Woolwich ) , a bye . SECOND TIES . 10th Hussars beat 4th Hussars by 4 goals to 3 . 1st Royal Dragoons beat Royal Artillery by 5 goals to . 9th Lancers , a bye . THIRD TIES . 9th Lancers beat 10th Hussars by 8 goals to 1 . 1st Royal Dragoons , a bye . FINAL TIE . 9th Lancers beat 1st Royal Dragoons by 6 cup , £ 70 . to 4 , and won WINNERS OF INTER - REGIMENTAL CUPS . 1878 5th Lancers . 1885 7th Hussars 1879-5th Lancers . 1886 7th Hussars 1880 16th Lancers 1887 7th Hussars 1881 5th Lancers 1888 10th Hussars 1882 16th Lancers 18-9 9th Lancers 1883 16th Lancers 1890 9th Lancers 1884 7th Hussars It is still asked why the 10th Hussars are not detailed for Ireland instead of the Royal Lancers . Indian contemporaries of compliment to the gallant 9th ? One must suppose so . the two regiments wonder most of all . Is it intended as a The 9th Lancers have not made a long stay at the Curragh , as they only arrived from Manchester a few weeks ago , at the fag - end of the summer drill , and they are now , as then , to go to Dundalk and Belfast . They were there long enough , however , to earn a reputation for them selves , for what little they did have an opportunity of doing was done admirably . THE COMMANDER OF THE FORCES ON TOUR . About the concluding period I must be brief , and reduce my narrative to a mere skeleton . After a spurt down by Captain Burn , Captain Jenner rattles up , and after a bit of a scuffle , Captain Lamont scores with a remarkably fine and strong drive . Then some smart play ends by Captain Little scoring on that slashing mare , Sister Sue , and soon after the Royals are encouraged by Mr. Browne scoring for them . And now happened one of those accidents of war which often turn the tide of success . Mr. Browne had been playing right well , when , losing his stick , he was forced to dismount . With the perversity of her sex , Honey moon , the mare he was riding , refused for some little time to go up to where the stick was lying ; the more her rider pulled at the bridle the more she drew back , and though the struggle lasted but a few minutes , yet minutes DUNDALK BARRACKS . ( FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT . ) DUNDALK , MONDAY . General Lord Wolseley , G.C.B. , Commander of the Forces in Ireland , arrived here this morning by the ordinary nine o'clock train from Dublin . His lordship was accompanied by Lord Herbert Edward Cecil , Grenadier Guards ; Lieutenant Colonel Duncan , Deputy Adjutant - General , and Col. Le Mesurier , Commanding Royal Engineers Dublin District . Major Stewart Mackenzie , Com manding 9th Royal Lancers , and several staff officers were on the platform to receive his lord ship . After the usual greetings the party entered the regimental wagonette , and , escorted by a mounted detachment of the Lancers , proceeded to the Queen's Arms Hotel , where apartments had been engaged for the inspecting party . often count for much at a critical moment . this case . So it was in Little to score . With their side weakened by the absence of their " back , " the Royals could not stem the fierce rush of the 9th , who bore down with great force , enabling Captain Up and down went the ball , now being hit a hard backhander by Captain Lamont or Mr. Browne , now being carried forward as Captain Jenner , Captain Little , or Mr. McMahon indulged in the entrancing delights of a run . Now fortune favours one side , now another , till at last one more crumb of comfort fell to the lot of the Royals in a goal got by Mr. Mesham . But time was nearly up . Hardly fought cut to the bitter end was the struggle . Black poured the sweat off gallant steeds , This day that bore their masters well . Now occurred an exhibition of his lordship's active temperament . Pending the serving of Present Arms ! luncheon , his lordship left the hotel and walked through the larger portion of the town . He did not select the better streets , but walked right on till he came to the river , and from what is styled the " big bridge , " the only direct entrance from the North to the town , took a survey of the Withm picturesque and historie scene around . view is the Hill of Faughart , where King Edward Bruce lost his crown and life , and within a few hundred yards of the bridge is the site of Duke Schomberg's camping ground in 1688 , and where most of his army succumbed to disease . His Both sides exerted themselves to the utmost , but neither lordship took a leisurely survey of every place and could worst the other , till at last the 9th hit behind - the point of apparent importance . Not being in uni bell rang - time was up , and the great fight for the Military form , and wearing only a simple and most un Cup 1890 was a thing of the past , and for the second year obtrusive morning dress , his lordship passed un in succession the 9th Lancers won the coveted trophy - recognised through the streets , which were more the score being , 9th Lancers , six goals ; Royal Dragoons , than ordinarily crowded , it being market day . After partaking of luncheon at the hotel , his lordship and party re - entered the wagonette , and were driven to the barracks , which were reached at 2.30 . Here the headquarters of the 9th Royal Lancers were drawn up on the parade ground , barrack square , the old hands in full number dress , the recruits - a considerable being drawn up in the rere in undress uniform . His lordship was received with a general salute , and then to the music of a slow march his lord two . ship passed along the ranks . The inspection would seem to have been only of a cursory cha racter , for in about 10 minutes the men were dis missed to quarters . His lordship next inspected the stables , then the men's rooms and the married quarters , and also the separate buildings devoted to the accommodation of the officers , and the hospital . The barracks are very extensive . No regiment suffers from illness while stationed here , and during three years ' stay the 16th Lancers never lost a man by disease . The sanitary arrange ments are most satisfactory , and there is a splendid supply of water , under pressure . His lordship and party left no portion of the barracks unvisited . Hi lordship and party are the guests of the officers of the Lancers at dinner this evening , but will sleep at the hotel , from whence a start will be made for Newry and Armagh to - morrow morning , 9th ( Queen's Royal ) Lancers . [ Manchester ( for Curragh ) . ] The Royal Cypher within the Garter . " Peninsula , " " Punnfar , " " Sobraon , " Punjaub , " " Chillianwallah , " Goojerat , " " Delhi , " " Lucknow , " Charaslah , Kabul , 1579 , " " Kandahar , 1880 , " Afghanistan , 1878-80 . " Uniform , blue . Pacings , scarlet . Plume , black and white . Agents . - Messrs . Cox & Co. Colonel Little , Gen. Sir A. , G.C.B. Lt - Colonel . ( 1 ) Legge , Hon . H. 15Dec.84 Com , Regt.1July87 col.15 Dec.83 Majors . ( 3 ) Stewart - Mackenzie , J. A. 8Mar.75 23 May73 F. H. 1July81 2Mar.81 8. V Bereaford , Lord W. L. De La P. , C.I.B. 15Dec.84 bt . It . col . 1July87 Gough , B. s.Morland , H. C. 8Dec.86 2Mar.81 8May59 20Nov 88 Captains . ( 6 ) Lamont , J. H. 23Nov.85 20Oct.86 y.Reynard , F. H. 200ct.88 7Aug.86 Little , M. O. Bishop , C. y.Cameron , C. St. C.80Mar.87 McFarlane , R. 23May88 Jenner , W. K. W. , adjt . 8Dec.86 23 May88 10.Ang.88 10Mar 80 4Dec.89 Willoughby , Hon . C. H. C. Colvin , F. F. Duff , F. W. Lieutenants . ( 8 ) R. King - Noel , Hon . L. F. 29 ag.85 Compton , Lord D. J. C. 2Sept.35 Anderson - Pelham , Hon . V. 6Nov.86 Stanley , H. F. W. 21 Nov.88 Twisleton - Wykeham - Fien nes , H. E. 21 Nov 88 de Laski , J. L. A. J. 21 Nov.88 Henry , G. F. Ellison , G. P. 5June89 4Jan.90 2nd Lieutenants . ( 3 ) Campbell , D. G. M. 16Mar.89 Bentinck , Lord C. C. SJune80 von Schröder , W. H. 4Dec.89 Adjt . Jenner , W. K. W. capt.30July87 R.M. Nicholson , E. H. 12Feb.87 24 May79 hon . capt.24May89 Q.M. Forsythe , J. 27Sept.79 hon . capt . 27 Sept.50 |
