Back to Album belonging to Colonel F F Colvin 9L (1860-1936). Contains newspaper cuttings and paper ephemera
Photographs
Item 0082
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| Accession number | 912L : 2124/6 |
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| Transcription |
SOPORU 14 ( thert Bradley THE DAILY GRAPHIC , SATURDAY , JULY 4 , 1891 . THE INTER - REGIMENTAL POLO TOURNAMENT AT HURLINGHAM : THE MATCH BETWEEN THE 9T1 LANCES AND THE 1ST ROYAL DRAGOONS . THE REGIMENTAL POLO TOURNAMENT , 1891 Both Our reason for representing in its various stages this Inter - Regimental Polo Tournament now being played at Hurlingham is because it is the best tournament on record that has been held either in England or India . The succeeding game between the Royal Dragoons Fourteen teams entered for the cup , and twelve have and the 9th Lancers was a decidedly good one . actually taken part in the contest . Our sketch teams have a deservedly high reputation , and both were represents one of the three matches between the 9th Lancers and the 1st Royal Dragoons . The team of the admirably mounted . Though the result was really Royals are represented with belts over their shoulder . never in much doubt , yet the Royals were under a The pony in the foreground is the renowned Patch , certain disadvantage , for Captain Burn , owing to his ridden by Mr. Percy Browne , of the Royals , playing recent accident , was unable to play . His place was back . Captain W. Jenner , of the 9th , on the grey hack taken by Mr. E. G. Hardy , who , more than once , did Squeezer , has twisted a of lightning , and is in possession of the ball , with Mr. useful work , but having played but little this year , he E G. Hardy , of the Royals , on Spot Red , in close was hardly such a strong No. 3 as Captain Burn . In attendance to crook his stick and if possible spoil the first " twenty " the 9th ran up three goals , all hit by his stroke . The two foremost figures on the right Captain the Hon . C. Willoughby , and play was certainly are Captain F. Colvin , of the 9th , on his chestnut fast . Captain Jenner proved himself worthy of Arab Robin , hustling and riding off ; Captain A. Mesham , of the Royals , on Blackman , so as to keep the reputation that he possesses , of being the most the course clear for Captain Jenner . Major Lamont , brilliant " Soldier No. 1 , and it was a treat to see him on Tommy , is right back , keeping a watchful eye on the grey Syrian , flashing in and out of the thundering for the 9th . A very exciting , fast game ended in a throng , and sticking all the time like a leech to the victory for the 9th . To - day , at four o'clock , the 17th Lancers and the 15th Hussars meet to play the semi - final oyals " back , " whom he must have bothered con tie , and on Monday at four o'clock , the 9th play the siderably , whilst Captain Mesham , for the Royals , winners in the final for the Cup . It would not be a played a pretty and bold game on Blackman , who proved bad idea for the German Emperor to take this oppor- what a good pace he can go ! tunity of viewing such an exceptionally exciting regimental game . He would have a chance of form In the second period the 9th did not have it all their a cavalry regiment . are certain to be the 9th Lancers . a ing an opinion of English horsemanship and the own way . Captain Willoughby did , indeed , add another material of which British officers are made . The goal to their credit , but then the Royals cried , chances are that he will introduce the game to the Halte là ! " Once , indeed , Major Lamont , coming German army , for no better game than polo exists for with a rush just when wanted , drove the ball on , and the winners of the Inter- though Mr. Percy Browne crammed Patch in pursuit at Regimental Cup , out of the three teams now left in , the best pace that she could command , he was too late to prevent it dribbling between the posts . But the goal was not allowed to count , as just previously one of the 9th had been off side . Rather uninteresting play and good many slow scrimmages then took place , whilst the ball was often out of play . These , however , gave place to a quicker turn , in which Captain Willoughby on Boden , Mr. MacMahon on Redskin , and Captain Mesham particularly distinguished themselves , and though the Royals made such a desperate attack that it seemed as if they must succeed , luck was dead against them , and a final fine drive of Mr. MacMahon's was spoilt by the bumpy ground , which made the ball glance off from its true course and go behind . El The final period opened with a smart dash on the part of Mr. Hardy , and a rare hustling bout between Mr. Browne on Honeymoon and Captain Jenner on nist could not stay the rush of Algiers , but the " Heavy , " though he rode off his antago 9th , who hit behind . Then in their turn the Royals hit behind , and so the game went on up and down the ground with a succes sion of furious rushes , in which both teams displayed equal valour , and each of whom met with equal or rather want of success , for neither managed to score . Just before the end of the game , however , a bit of luck seemed about to fall to the lot of the Royals , for Mr. Percy Browne had a " sitting " shot at the Lancers ' goal , but a cry of " broken ball " made him waver a moment , and then hit quickly to avoid the rush of a foe , with the result that the ball went wide , and the 9th Lancers won by four goals to love .. Though won with such apparent ease , it was a capital game , played throughout with great spirit , and it seems a thousand pities that the gallant Royals should have resolved to eschew Hurlingham polo next season , for no regiment have worked harder to attain the excellence that they possess . Bold riders , good hitters , and admirably mounted , they play a chivalrous game , and I can recall but few , if any , instances of a " Royal " crossing a foe , that most heinous offence , and one which have made friends everywhere , and I make bold to assert regret to has become rather common of late . They not one enemy . Personally , I owe them much for un failing courtesy and assistance in my somewhat difficult task ; and even if we do not see them as a team at Hur ingham for a space , yet I hope we shall see many of these thorough sportsmen taking part in a good game or say two next season . Hurlingham Club . Polo and Music . ******* 00000000 MONDAY , JULY 6th . ********* INTER - REGIMENTAL CUP UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF 15th H.R.H. The Duke of Gambridge , K.G. AT 4 . FINAL GAME , 9th LANCERS ******* U. HUSSARS . On Monday the final tie between the 9th Lancers and 15th Hussars was to have been played off , and there was a great gathering to witness the game , but , alas ! just before it was announced to begin at 4 p.m. the rains descended and the floods came ; thunder rattled and lightning flashed in a manner that made everyone take refuge anywhere they could , whilst the roof of the pavilion was a regular sea of umbrellas . For over half an hour the rain poured down relentlessly , and then - oh ! the charming variety of our climate - the sun shone out , and it was a lovely afternoon . But in the meantime the rival teams had determined not to play , an unwise decision , and one which , I think , both regretted . as subsequent events proved . So play was deferred till Tuesday , when the rain was even worse , and naturally the attendance not nearly so great . On this day , how ever , the match had to be played off , as with the County Cup matches in prospect , there could be no more delay . After a long wait the weather at last cleared , and at 5.40 p.m. the rivals faced each other , and we all settled down to watch what proved an exciting game , notwithstanding that the ground cut up terribly , and that by the time the match was over it more resembled a ploughed field than a polo ground . One word before we follow the ball . I find that in my account of play last week I stated that the 9th Lancers had again this year drawn a bye for the final tie - thus implying that they had had unusual luck on their side . Now , such implication was far from my intention , and the error I fell into with regard to their drawing a bye for the second time , was , I will allow , sheer care lessness on my part - a carelessness for which I trust that gallant corps will forgive me , and which I have now great pleasure in rectifying and apologising for . What more can I say than mea culpa , mea maxima culpa ? These were the heroes that composed the teams for the Soldier's Polo Blue Ribbon . 9TH LANCERS . 15TH HUSSARS . 1. Mr. J. Hargreaves Hon . C. Wil- 2. Mr. H. Dundas 3. Captain de Crespigny Captain Bewicke ( back ) . loughby 1. Captain W. Jenner 2. Captain 3. Captain F. Colvin Major Lamont ( back ) . Umpires : Colonel St. Quintin ( 8th Hussars ) and Mr. A. Peat . In goes the ball , to be almost directly out of play after Captain Colvin has had a couple of smacks at it . On being thrown in Captain Jenner gets in possession , and makes one of his bold darts on a grey pony whether Squeezer or Dolly memory fails me but he is ousted from his pride of place momentarily by Mr. Hargreaves on that wonderful iron grey barb , who in his turn has to give way , as the Lancers bring the whole of their forces to the front , and Major Lamont on The Barb driving the ball on , Captain Willoughby on Alley Sloper takes up the fight . It is a moment of suspense , as the ball rolls slowly on with Captain Bewicke hard in pursuit . Is it a goal ? Yes ! No ! yes ! as the triumphant " Whoo whoop ! " rings out , showing that the 9th have scored first blood at the Stables end in exactly two minutes . Primary success is often half the battle , and an incentive to further effort , and this is apparently the effect on the 9th , for on ends being changed , Captain Jenner takes the ball out of a scrim mage in the very neatest manner , and makes a dash for the Chestnuts goal . But he is baffled , for Captain Bee INTER - REGIMENTAL CUP FINAL GAME . 9th LANCERS AT 4 . MAJOR LAMONT ( back ) . CAPTAIN W. JENNER . CAPTAIN F. COLVIN . CAPTAIN HON . C. 15th HUSSARS . 9th LANCERS . WILLOUGHBY . Colours U. 15th HUSSARS . MR . HII . DUNDAS ( back ) . CAPTAIN T. DE CRESPIGNY . CAPTAIN P. BEWICKE . MR . J. HARGREAVES . Colours Red , Blue and Yellow wicke has his innings , and takes the ball back , and after some give - and - take , Captain Jenner , on that marvellous pony , Algiers , makes a rush that lands the ball behind the enemy's goal line . A hot scrimmage or two , in which Major Lamont places the ball so well at last , that Captain Jenner , nipping in , gets on to it , and scores a second goal . The 15th now force the fighting , and there is Mr. Hargreaves ramming Rufus along at a won derful pace , and hitting well and strongly . But luck against him ; the ball is going straight for the posts , but some law that governs the law of projectiles causes it to twist , and shaving a goal post and behind . Right well does Captain Colvin , who is riding Belinda , take on a good hit out of Major Lamont's , and then , would that I could put adequately before you a per formance of Algiers , for , though I have seen many a pony turn sharply , I have never seen one do what Captain Jenner's Syrian did on this occasion . The ball is being hit down the ground ; scmeone gives it a smack to the right . Algiers turns to it , but as he does so , and is almost in the air , it is hit to the left . Turning veritably in his is ever en changing his feet , and is in his stride in a moment . Smart is no word for the feat . But the ball is out of play , the first ten minutes are over , and a change of ponies when play is resumed shows Mr. Dundas on Arab Chief I wonder if the old pony knew he was playing against old riders and comrades ? -Captain Bewicke on Arabi , Mr. Hargreaves on Rufus , Captain de Crespigny on May Girl , Captain Willoughby on Ally Sloper , Captain Jenner on Squeezer , Major Lamont on the Arab Pharaoh , and Captain Colvin on a chestnut Arab ,. whose name I know not . For a while the 15th more than hold their own , and the most strenuous efforts of the 9th to break their ranks are foiled . At last the Lancers , with a combined rush , succeed in doing this , and as the throng sweeps past the ball it is left at the mercy of Captain Willoughby , who has an open goal before him . " Take time ! take time ! " shouts Major Lamont , but the warning is unheeded . Small wonder , for under such circumstances the wisest lose their heads ; and being in a little too much hurry Captain Willoughby hits wide of the posts . Once more the 9th hit behind . Then the 15th make a desperate dash See they come along the ground careering ; Already cool Lamont's colours are struck , And bold Bewicke the vanguard is steering , Whilst Jenner's behind in the rear of the ruck . Yes , the coup de main meets with its reward . Mr. Har greaves , dropping on to the ball , hits it a hard smack , and as it rolls on slower and slower , with the thundering throng in pursuit , spur riders or gallop ponies never so hard , it goes through the posts ; and the shout that goes up at the success of this gallant dash of the Hussars might verily have been heard at Putney . Thus ends a hard - fought " twenty , " with the score - 9th Lancers , two goals ; 15th Hussars , one . |
