HOCKEY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 245, 30 July 1935, Page 2

HOCKEY.

NEW ZEALAND! WINS AGAIN.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA BEATEN,

MELBOURNE, July 29

In the All-Australia women’s hockey tournament, New Zealand beat Western Australia by 3 goals to 2. The New Zealand team was: Mrs A. O’Connor, Misses AV. Woolley, A. McDonald, A. Mackie, M. Gudsell, E. Hansen, M. Sanson, Mrs H. Reid, Misses M. McKenzie and E'. Saville.

New Zealand played a strong attacking game. Miss McKenzie scored early after receiving a good, pass from Mrs' Reid. Shortly afterwards, Miss Mackie made a good shot, but the Western Australian goalie saved. The Western Australians rallied and took charge for a while. They scored after a fierce scrimmage, and a few minutes later scored again. Miss McKenzie added two more goals for New Zealand before the hard-fought game Tasmania beat South Australia by 5 goals to 1. _ New South Wales drew with Queensland, one all.

INDIAN TEAM’S DEPARTURE. MU BEHRAM DOCTOR’S , farewell. Prior to his departure from New Zealand, the following statement was made by Mr Behram Doctor (managei of tne Indian Hockey Federation s contingent): . , r “On the eve of leaving the shores of New Zealand, I, as the. leader of the Indian hockey contuigent, feel it mj duty to give to the public ot tins Dominion my impressions during our stay. , “As far as the treatment goes, it could not possibly have been better. There might have been certain diniculties, but with all that we were treated right royally. Every effort was made, not only by those interested in hockey but also outside the hockey world, to see that wherever we went, we weie comfortable. . . “1 cannot but make a special reference to the New Zealand Hockey Association, without whose kind thoughts we would not have gone through this Dominion. The authorities or the Nevv Zealand Hockey Association, and all the provincial associations concerned, have left no stone unturned to see that we had i*li that was desired so that we could take back with us good memories. “The public of this Dominion may not be knowing what great work was put in by the honorary secretary (Mr Down), whose efforts were so ably backed by the president (Mr Goodman). We had with us on every occasion a New Zealand attache who saw to our well-being. In all, we came in touch with six people .acting in this capacity who tried their very best to get over any and every difficulty. To every attache, to the honorary secretary, and to the president ol the New Zealand Hockey Association we do hereby extend our deepest sense of gratitude. “When we arrived here if. was our intention that we should, besides playing hockey, leave behind in this country memories of friendship which would be retained for a very very long time to come. At the same time we had one fixed object in our mind, and that was to take away with us good feelings, good thoughts, and good impressions of this country. I can certainly say that I feel we have amply gained our objective. There is 110 denying 'the fact that this tour of ours will be very difficult to forget, for we have formed friendships which will be lifelong. - “I brought with me a team.of men who have acted and turned out to be a credit to my country. They have left, both on the field and away from the

field, the best of traditions under which the game should be played, and the game was flayed. This team that 1 brought can, I am sure, extend any hockey combination outside India, and would be almost unbeatable. After I say this, you will appreciate the performances put up by the New Zealand team in the first two Tests. India had to fight all-out to uphold the prestige of the Fatherland. It may be argued that in the first two Tests the grounds were not favour of India. None the less, this can in no way go to detract credit from the players under Mr McLeod. Mr McLeod had the honour of leading the New Zealand side in all the three Tests, and with most perfect confidence I can say that the New Zealand boys were well worthy of playing the powerful team against which they were pitted. _ x “As far as the question of umpiring stands, there may have been occasions when we did not see eye to i eye with their point of view. Nevertheless, as far as their keenness and their honesty of purpose goes, the New Zealand umpires are at par with umpires in any other part of the world. “I feel that if ever an invitation is extended to my country to send out another hockey team during years to come, it will meet with very favourable consideration. I request all concerned in New Zealand to accept on behalf of the contingent our deepest sense of gratitude. We wish your Dominion every success.” The final record of the matches of the tour is:—Played, 27 ; won, 27 ; goals for, 307; goals against, 21.