HOCKEY TEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 200, 24 August 1937, Page 14

HOCKEY TEST.

N.Z. TEAM'S SUCCESS. MATCH WITH AUSTRALIA. VISITORS' SUPERIORITY. With the latest mail comes further news of the Test match played between the New Zealand hockey representatives and Australia, at Sydney last Saturday week. Although the touring team is not to be up to the standard of previous New Zealand sides, the Australian critics declare that the home eleven, by comparison with them, looked like a team of novices. New Zealand was by no means invincible, but Australia was beaten by a better team. The Australians lacked finasse and ability-' to turn movements into scores against the polished defence of the New Zealand backs. Dissatisfaction has been freely expressed concerning the method adopted in selecting the Australian team, and one writer considers that the 6ide lost a glorious chance of recording its first victory in Test match history through the present practice of selecting the teams during the inter-State carnival. Both teams were very strong in defence, with the New Zealand forwards shading their opponents in combined play and clever stickwork. The Play Described. The New Zealand team was:—W. Smillie, A. Mahoney, F. Clark, D. Loader, S. Robertson, L,. Watson, O. Dey, K. Roughton, B. Duffield, M. Browne, L. Best. Shortly after the bully, Australia invaded the New Zealand quarter only •to find Clark and Mahoney safe in defence. Clark finally cleared and New Zealand counterattacked to force a penalty corner. Roughton stopped the hit, and his shot was stopped, but Dey, following in fast, scooped the ball into the net. New Zealand had scored in the first three minutes of play. Then followed a tense struggle, New Zealand being forced to defend stubbornly. Then, on two occasions, the New Zealand forwards looked dangerous, and Rougliton netted a hard shot from a melee in the goal mouth only to be ruled "offside." Just before half-time Scott, of Australia, netted a stinging shot, which was also disallowed owing to an infringement. The second half was very even, New Zealand attacking right from the bully. Best and Duffield opened up the play, the latter just failing to score. In the closing stages Australia attacked with great vigour, the Hurrell Brothers taking the ball into the circle, where Clark finally cleared with a great back-hand shot. Time" sounded and New Zealand had won the Manning Memorial Cup, with which they will return.

In defence P. Clark was the outstanding back on the ground, and he was ably supported by A. Mahoney. S. Robertson, at centre-half, was solid in defence, clever with hie stick, aud constantly made open-

ings through changing his line of attack. The forwards romped over the Australian backs with sheer pace, ami O. Dey. R. Roughfon, B. Duffield and M, Browne were always dangerous. The Australian forwards did not play well and lacked cohesion. G. Milner lost a wonderful opportunity to score, no doubt through over-eagerness. The full-backs, S. Scott and R. Barnes, were outstanding. W. Pointon, in goal, made many great eaves.