MEN’S HOCKEY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 303, 30 September 1940, Page 2

MEN’S HOCKEY.

WALKER AND HALL SHIELD. OAMARU BEATS ASHBURTON. At the Timaru Park on Saturday the final game of the season was played for the Walker and Hall Shield between Thistle Club (Ashburton) and the Oamaru Club. This shield is for competition between the winners of the competitions conducted by the South Canterbury Hockey Association, Ashburton Sub-Association and North Otago Sub-Association. This year is the first that a local club has not contested the final game, South End, the local champions, having been defeated 6-5 at Oamaru, after extra time had been played. The game was started at a fast pace,

both teams striving for an early lead. Thistle immediately took tip the attack, hut could not finish off. Territorially, they held the advantage light through the first, spell, but the defence of Oamaru’s full-backs was solid, especially tjie hard hitting and sure tackling of I. Sherwin. The first score was a penalty goal to Thistle, which was awarded for a breach from a penalty bully taken by the Oamaru goalkeeper. This was the. only score at half-time.

From the bully-off in the second spell Oamaru took up the attack and from a penalty corner I. Sherwin scored the equalising goal. From then on Oamaru had much the better of the game, Thistle seeming to tire very quickly. Oamaru increased their load when, from a free hit near the corner, the ball travelled right across the goal mouth to E. Shirwin, who sent it into the net. Thistle tried hard to equalise, but rarely was the Oamaru goalkeeper called on to defend his net. Oamaru w'ould not stay on defence, but took up the attack, v.itli a. result that from a melee in front of Thistle’s net Whitburn scored. Ihe final whistle sounded with the score 3-1 in favour of Oamaru. The referees were Messrs A. Amott (Oamaru) and A. C. Vincent (Ashburton). „ At the conclusion of the game Mr W. G. Hawkey, president of the South Canterbury Hockey Association, presented the shield to the Oamaru Club and congratulated them on their fine game. Mr I. Shirwin (captain) suitably replied. Mr Hawkey then presented the Association Cup to the South End Club, Mr H. Thomas accepting it. Cheers were then given for the winners and losers.

Before dispersing, Mr Hawkey made reference to the hockey players who have left to assist the Mother Country in her fight for freedom. He appealed to all players who went overseas to keep up the standard of sport learnt in New Zealand.