HOCKEY Australia Squares The Rubber With 3-2 Win

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28685, 8 September 1958, Page 6

HOCKEY Australia Squares The Rubber With 3-2 Win

(New Zealand Press Association) BLENHEIM, September 7. The Australian hockey representatives squared the rubber with New Zealand in Blenheim yesterday, winning a fast game by 3 goals to 2. The winner of the international trophy, the Manning Cup, had already been decided, New Zealand retaining the cup by virtue of a draw and a win in the first two tests.

There was some brilliant hockey played on a firm, true ground, but there were intervals, especially in the second spell, where there was too much obstruction.

New Zealand had the better of the first spell, in spite of a onegoal deficit, but New Zealand tactics in the second half paid few dividends, and the Australians seemed to have all the answers. The Australian centre half, Leeson, gave a sparkling exhibition and was responsible for some brilliant play which often spelt trouble for New Zealand. Mullins and Dick, the wingers, were fast and dangerous and the captain and right half, Mecklam, played sound, constructive hockey throughout. For New Zealand, the stars were the forward trio of McGregor, Hobson and Wallen, whose play in the first spell was particularly attractive. The teams were:—

Australia: L. Hailey. A. Mallispn, D. Spackman, K. Leeson, K. Mclntosh", D. Mecklam (captain), L* Dick, J. Mullins, G. Bell, D. Currie, I. Spedding. New Zealand: W. Schaefer, J. Abrams, L Kerr, R. Gillespie, J. Smith, R. Irons, A. Hayde, G. D. McGregor, N. S. Hobson (captain), M. Wallon, T. Blake. Fast Pace The pace for the start was fast and furious. New Zealand was the first to score after about five minutes. McGregor lofted the ball into the goal from the back of the circle after a cross hit by Hayde. Hailey, the' Australian goalkeeper, was caught out of position. New Zealand attacked repeatedly up the left wing, but Australia defended stoutly and then flashed upfleld. With play in the New Zealand

goal, a player obstructed. The penalty bully was contested by E. Dick (Australia) and R. Irons. The latter obstructed and Australia was awarded the goal. The pace slackened and for some time play was in midfield. Then New Zealand launched a series of attacks and Australia cleared from three successive penalty corners. Then came a hard drive by Mecklam which Dick intercepted in the circle to send a hard shot well and truly home, and make the half-time score Australia 2, New Zealand' 1. In the second spell, New Zealand conceded three penalty corners in quick succession. Play was very lively at this stage and on one of Australia’s forays, which were becoming increasingly frequent, Bell, the inside left, followed up fast and scored. Quick Rally

With half the spell gone, the Australians were on top when New Zealand staged a quick rally and after a penalty corner, McGregor left the Australian goalie standing. New Zealand struggled hard from then on, but the Australians had the edge. There were signs of tempers being a little frayed. With only minutes to go a penalty bdlly was ordered. It was taken •by Hobson and Leeson. Three times the umpire had them bully, off and \on the third occasion Leeson cleared. •

The game ended almost immediately afterwards with the score unchanged. The umpires were Messrs N. Pinder (Oamsru) and H. Turner (Palmerston North).