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CHAPTER IX 



HOW A POLO MATCH SHOULD BE PLAYED 



THAT indisputable authority, Mr. Jorrocks, has laid down as an 

 axiom of the hunting field that hounds should always arrive 

 at the fixture punctually ; for, he adds, ' punctuality is the pur- 

 liteness of princes ' ; and on the same principle a polo match 

 should always begin punctually at the hour advertised, though, 

 alas ! the rule is generally more honoured in the breach than in 

 the observance. However, at the time named the eight players 

 who compose the contending teams should be mounted, ready, 

 and ride on to the ground accompanied by two umpires 

 (mounted), one for each side. There should also be a time- 

 keeper on foot, outside the ground, and it is his duty to start 

 the game, take the time, and deduct from the various ' periods ' 

 of six, fifteen, or twenty minutes any time not spent actually 

 in play, such as intervals required for changing ponies, getting 

 fresh balls, &c. 



Each side should be composed of xour players, including a 

 captain, who will determine what positions the respective 

 members of his team shall occupy. 



Each player has a named position in the game, viz. No. i, 

 No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4. Nos. i and 2 are the ' forward ' players, 

 No. 3, 'half-back,' and No. 4, 'back.' 



The captain should play either ' back ' or ' half- back,' as it 

 is his duty to direct and control his team ; and this he would be 

 unable to do efficiently were he not in rear of his fighting line, 



A A 2 



