Polo Team Drops Match to Norwich, 13-9, Despite Late Rally and Four Tanner Goals

The Harvard polo team outplayed a disciplined Norwich University squad for the final three chukkers but never recovered from the disastrous first one and finally succumbed 13-9. Friday night in Vermont.

Norwich capitalized on its familiarity with both the ring and the horses to build a 5-0 lead after the first chukker, as Harvard's problems were amplified by poor mounts.

Fun but Slow

Crimson captain Bill Griffen's horse seemed more interested in having a good time than playing the game and Bobo Tanner's mount was unusually slow.

Griffen made the first Harvard score in the second chukker with an offside fore shot from ten yards out. Cabot Lodge followed with a goal to narrow the gap to 5-2. Norwich swatted in two quick goals but Lodge and Tanner reciprocated with one apiece. Tanner scored on a pony goal as his horse kicked the ball in to make it 7-4.

In the third chukker. Norwich substituted for most of their starters. Griffen scored on a fine foul shot from 25 yards out to bring the Crimson within two.

Tanner cut in parallel to the goal and stroked in a belly shot after Norwich had fired in two more to make the score 9-6 after three chukkers.

Norwich hurt itself throughout the contest by fouling eight times. Harvard corrected most of its fouling problems which had hindered the effort against Yale last week, and was guilty of fouling only four times.

Norwich put in their starting three for the fourth chukker and they quickly scored another two goals. Tanner began the Harvard rally with a score on an offside fore shot and Lodge then found the goal with a nearside back shot.

Tanner whacked another one home to bring the Crimson within two but Norwich snuffed out any hope of victory with two more scores.

"We showed great improvement over the Yale match and are particularly encouraged that we cut down on our fouling," Griffen said yesterday.

The team was trounced by the powerful Ryderbrook Polo Club on Saturday night, 22-3. Griffen, Tanner and Tad Montross each scored. On Sunday, the squad scrimmaged informally with the Sugarbush Polo Club.