The Polo Ground was in a wretched state on January 12 for the two Rugby matches. The snow had melted and left pools of liquid mud places whilst in other parts the ground was badly churned up after 'a few minutes play.
For the first time in the history of the Shanghai Municipal Police, Rugby XV turned out in a league match, With the exception of two practice games last year, the Police have never turned out in a Tugger game before and their game against the Shanghai Scottish demonstrated that the police have the makings of an excellent team. Indeed, the Shanghai Scottish, with several interport players in the side, were extremely lucky to win andy Ju fact, did not deserve a victory, the polices having much more of the game. The final score was Scottish 13 points, Police 10 points and the victory was secured in the last minute of the game when Taylor playing in the right centre three-Quarter position in the place Nichol who went full back in the second half, secured the ball Just outside the police 25 and ran strong: ly through the police defence to score beneath the posts. It was a great try and was converted by IMS, Suffolk v. Shanghai "A"
This game resulted in a win for the Suffolk by six points to nil. Both trios were scored by Midshipman Wright, who played grand-off half, and was easily the best man on the field. The game necessarily was of the kick and rush variety on account of the wretched state of the ground. Mann was a tower of strength to the home fifteen and there wae really little to choose between the two teams.
The biggest totalisator dividend! ever paid in the history of pool! betting was recorded at Haydock Park races on November 31, when Code (ridden by Wilkinson) won a two-mile selling handicap hurdle race and a totalisator dividend of 6822s, Gd. to -a 2s. unit was returned. This dividend represems Jodds of $4108 to 1, and easily beats the previous record, which was 8,097 to 1, paid when Don Robledo won at Shanghai on June 11 last 'The bookmakers' starting, for Code was 100 to 8.
Don Robledo, owned by Messrs. Harry White & Son, caused ion amongst racing men all over the world when, running under 'a generous allowance at Kiangwan, th Billy Tingle, the popular little boxing instructor, in the suddle, he romped home a comfortable winner with three well-backed ponies filling the places, there being 'a dead-heat for third. There was 3 pari-mutuel return of $15,193 for $5 for a win, and $184 for a place. Tt hardly seemed possible that suc ti amazing dividend could eclipsed, but it has been. Don Roblede has not done anything since, though once for a while he! seemed likely to repeat the coup.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.