University of Virginia Library

Riders Win Opener

By Mark Pirrung
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Reid Graham Led Virginia Polo Team To First Win Sunday

First Year-Man Scored Seven Goals In 11-5 Win Over Middleburg

The University polo team
romped to victory in their first
game of the season by
defeating the Middleburg team
11 to 5 Sunday afternoon.

A crowd of some three
hundred people sat in the
afternoon sun and watched the
Virginia team dominate play in
the second half to widen the
spread of a tense first half.

Reid Graham, a first year
man rated at two goals, lived
up to the expectations of the
crowd by scoring a total of
seven goals for the University.
Reid played for the University
for the first time Sunday and
proved himself to be well
worth his two goal handicap.

The game was played on the
flat, no handicap was awarded
either team and the game was
refereed by Paul Summers, a
member of the Farmington
polo team.

The Middleburg team took
an early lead when former
Virginia captain Rob Rinchart,
who was playing back for
Middleburg, scored twice in the
first chukka and one pony goal
was awarded to Middleburg.
The score at the bell was three
to one Middleburg.

When play began in the
second chukka it became clear
that the Virginia team was
learning to play together, and
Captain Banks, famous for his
trick shots, tallied on a neck
shot from almost midfield.
Two more goals by Reid
Graham and a pony goal for
each side put the University
ahead 5 to 4 at the half.

After half time age began to
tell as Virginia outplayed the
opposition in a convincing
manner. Ray Norden, playing
back for the University, held
Middleburg to one goal in the
second half while the two
forwards completed the defeat.

Playing two for Middleburg
was Roger Rinchart who
sustained a hard fall in the
second chukka, but was able to
maintain his hard-hitting style.
Rob Rinehart had not settled
himself to the indoor style of
play, and hit many nice shots
too high and wide, putting the
ball over the boards. Rob
scored a total of two goals and
the forward for Middleburg,
Jake Carl, scored once.

Forward Dave Banks scored
twice and Ray Norden scored once
for the squad. With freshman Reid
Graham joining the team this year
the Virginia players could hit hard
in the Intercollegiates this winter.