HOCKEY

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27736, 13 August 1955, Page 11

HOCKEY

INDIAN TEAM IN CHRISTCHURCH GAME with canterbury TODAY In India hockey was played on grounds with billiards table surfaces—the hard, even, grassy turf was cut and rolled each day, so that his players had found the muddy and sticky New Zealand grounds a distinct handicap, said the manager of the visiting Indian Wanderers team (Mr R. L. Malhotra) yesterday. In New Zealand conditions they could not play the scientific game, and hockey was played with brain, not brawn, he said. “In my opinion, New Zealand hockey has improved in the last few years,” said Mr Malhotra. “I find all the qualifications of the Indian players. The New Zealand players are physically strong, they have good stamina, and they know how to play hockey. They can stop the ball very well, scoop it, and hit it hard, but they do not know enough about dribbling, small passes, and through passes. This is only because they play on muddy grounds. Unless they get practice on hard grounds they will not be able to play the scientific game.” Mr Malhotra said that nearly all the 16 countries taking part in next year’s Olympic Games hockey played on firm, fast grounds, so they had good stick work. He thought the New Zealanders should train in the summer evenings to fit themselves to compete with \ other leading countries. Several of the visiting players are suffering from pulled muscles, and the team to play Canterbury at English Park this afternoon will not be announced until late this morning. Visits to Schools Yesterday members of the visiting team spoke to children of 11 Christchurch schools, mainly on their country, but they also discussed hockey when hockey questions were asked. Yesterday morning Naresh Chander, O. F. Malhotra, and R. S. Gentle visited the East Christchurch and Phillipstown schools, and at St. Michael’s School they spoke to an assembly of pupils reinforced by St. Mark’s and 'Victory Memorial schools. In the afternoon the PapanUi High School, Christchurch Boys’ High School, Christ’s College, Christchurch West High School, Linwood High School, and Christchurch Technical College were visited, the speakers including Jaswant Rai, K. D. (Babu) Singh, Dr. Gurchuran Sing, and Balbir Singh. The Canterbury team for the game today is: D. Goldsmith; J. Abrams, R. Rusbridge: R. Cummins, M. Wall, J. Kiddey; D. James, N. Hobson, P. Blyth, I. D. Armstrong, M. McKinnon. Reserves: I. C. Prangnell, R. GiUespie, and R. Lapworth.

WELCOME AT PIONEER SPORTS CLUB The Indians were “not only ambassadors for their country, but an adornment to it,” said Mr J. G. Leggat when proposing a toast at a sportsmen’s welcome yes** terday afternoon to the Indian Wanderers hockey team which arrived in Christchurch yesterday. Claiming an association with'the game through a fellow-Welshman who was said to have introduced hockey to Canterbury, the Deputy-Mayor of Christchurch (Mr G. Manning) welcomed the team on behalf of the city. Mr W. J. Cowles, president of the Pioneer Sports Club, welcomed the players on behalf of the club and introduced the speakers. After an address by the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren), the captain of the team (Dr. Gurcharan Singh) thanked the speakers and the many sporting bodies represented for their reception. HIGH SCHOOL BEATS WEST CHRISTCHURCH Showing better stick, work and positional play. Boys’ High School beat West Christchurch at Straven road, by 4 goals to 1. The High School forwards, led by W. Flanagan, gave a fine display of short passing and trapping. West Christchurch slowed the attack by trying for position, and were frequently beaten for the ball by speed and last tackling. West Christchurch was the first to score when P. Oakes led a quick raid and beat Fuller all the way. High School evened the score when Flanagan netted after a combined attack. Wear scored a few minutes later. The half-time score was High School 2, West Christchurch 1. E. Barnes scored with a hard shot. D. Shepherd, playing a steady game at left back for High School, stopped several West Christchurch attacks. Boys’ High School returned, and from the corner, Flanagan again scored. The final score was Boys’ High School 4, West Christchurch 1. ■ The umpires were Mr C. V. Walter and Mr R. Thomas.