HOCKEY INDIANS WIN NARROWLY

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27733, 10 August 1955, Page 14

HOCKEY INDIANS WIN NARROWLY

1-0 VICTORY OVER NORTH ISLAND

MARKED TERRITORIAL ADVANTAGE (New Zealand Press Association) WANGANUI, August 9. Fiercely effective on defence, but with little more than the shadow of a forward line, the North Tsland hockey team was beaten, 1-0, by the Indian Wanderers in an exciting match, played on Cook’s Gardens this afternoon. The Indian team was perhaps slightly more sluggish than that which faced Wanganui on the same ground last month, for the ground, although well rolled, was just damp enough to tire the players. Nothing could mar, however, the wizardy of the Indians’ ball control and an almost -uncanny understanding, so well hidden from the opposing players. Only once in the entire match did the North Island forwards come really close to scoring. One or two of them showed some sting in their play, but lack of support crippled every effort. Although it could score only one goal, the Indian forward line brought roar after roar of excitement from the 5000 spectators. Many times they battled their way to within inches of scoring, only to be foiled by spasms of brilliance from the North Island defenders. Less dashing than usual, until the closing stages of the match, was the Indians’ centre forward. Balbir Singh, but he scored his team’s only goal. Raghbir Lal, at inside right, flitted and feinted his way through in some dazzling movements. Though strong on attack and defence, the outside halves, Pishori Lal and O. P. Malhotra, were almost entirely eclipsed by the centre-half, L. Claudius. The hardhitting left back, R. S. Gentle, proved a grim defensive player. Neville Mclntyre (Wanganui) was the pick of the uninspiring .North Island forward line. He harried the Indians incessantly, and led most of the North Island’s attacks. W. Schaefer, in goal, was constantly under pressure, and made some magnificent saves. The Indian forwards and halves spent much of- the match swarming around the North Island goalmouth, pouring in withering volleys of shots. It was in such a situation that Balbir Singh slammed a high shot into the net. 19 minutes after the first spell had begun. Ten minutes after the resumption of play, the North Island forwards livened* up and launched a series of attacks that had the Indians rattled. Percival sent a neat shot across the open Indian goal, but no-one was there to tap it in. Just before the final whistle, the left wing, D. Hannam, netted the ball, but the referee’s whistle had blown for an infringeThe teams were:— 4 Indian Wanderers.—Babu Singh; Suraj Balrim, R. S. Gentle; \O. P. Malhotra, L. Claudius, Pishori Lal; M. Gurdass, Raghbir Lal, Balbir Singh, Naresh Chander, Gurbachan Singh. North Island.—W. Schaefer; P. Englert, B. Johnston; J. Smith, K. Nicholson (captain), J. Mulheron; K. Percy, W. Percival, M. Irwin, N. Mclntyre, D. Hannam.

N.Z. TEAM FOR THIRD TEST

TWO CHANGES MADE Two changes have been made in the New Zealand hockey team which will meet the Indian Wanderers in the third test at Christchurch on August 20. M. C. Louden (Nelson) and A. Hayde (Auckland), who 'played in the second test, have been dropped. J. Kiddey (Canterbury), who was a member of the first team, has again been included, and D. James (Canterbury) has been selected for his first international. The New Zealand team, announced last evening by the management committee of the New Zealand Hockey Association, is: • Goal: C. Hart (Manawatu). Backs: M. Down (Otago), R. Johannson (Wellington). Halves: B. A. Turner (Manawatu), J. C. Tynan (Wellington), J. Kiddey (Canterbury). Forwards: D. James (Canterbury), N. Hobson (Canterbury), W. Percival (Wellington), I. D. Armstrong (Canterbury), and P. By grave (Auckland). The reserves are: I. Smith (Ashburton), M. C. Louden (Nelson), and B. Johnson (Manawatu). The New Zealand team will assemble in Christchurch on the morning of Wednesday. August 17, for coaching and training.