CAN OUR POLO TEAM BEAT THE AMERICANS?
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—AS an old polo player, I write to give you some news which I have just received from America, regarding the Army in India team, representing Hurlingham, which is to 'play the famous American four to-day.
The Army in India team, as you know, is composed of Major Atkinson at back (he played in the 1924 International match against America and captains the team), Captain Roark at No. 3, Major Williams at No. 2 and Captain Pert at No. 1. According to the New York papers, Roark is the backbone of our side—" with him in such fine form the British are a real menace to lift the cup. If the American four can stop Roark, they can retain the cup with ease ; if they can't stop him, the cup is due for an ocean voyage."
So well has our team played in practice that the Americans, after trying other combinations, have had to revert to the hitherto invincible four who won the International Match of 1924. But this great team, by no means young men then, will unquestionably feel the added weight of three years. Mr. Milburn can hardly expect to retain all his old dash, nor is Mr. Stevenson (who had such a bad fall in 1924) as young as he was. Mr. Watson Webb is a wonderful No. 1, but he is faced with as brilliant and a steadier player than Mr. Lacey in 1924, in the person of Captain Roark. As to Major Atkinson, on his day and hour he is a tower of strength. Put him on his mettle in a closely contested match and he is one of the hardest backs in the world to beat. He is a magnificent horse- man, and drives the ball up through the game exactly to his forwards. As to Major Williams, by all accounts he has come back to the top of his form. Captain Pert is a great big No. 1, with good control of the ball, accuracy, calmness, and a strength that may, and one hopes will, give the redoubtable Mr. Milburn no opportunity for those spectacular runs up the • field which are such an asset to his side. There remains young Mr. Hitchcock to consider. Certainly he is the finest hitter, not only in America, but in the world, taking the ball at any pace and at any angle and driving it as straight as a die. I hope the rumour that he is indisposed is not true, for his play is worth crossing the Atlantic to see ; but_if he should be off his game, that fact will undoubtedly help our side. The Army in India team is young and strong, Used to fast grounds and the strenuous style of play which our English turf does not encourage. They are a friendly, well-managed, serious team, unhampered by the regrettable mistakes which 'occurred in 1924. The American team are the more experi- enced, but also a great deal the older team. One day their splendid eombination must collapse before The attack of younger Men, and there is quite a sporting chance that -it may
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