Hockey AUSTRALIA SUPERIOR

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30191, 24 July 1963, Page 11

Hockey AUSTRALIA SUPERIOR

King Country Beaten, 7-0

(N.Z. Press Association) TAUMARUNUI. July 23. The Australian hockey team at Taumarunui today, defeated King Country, 7-0. The game was played in rain and on a sodden ground which militated against last, spectacular hockey. The Australians handled the wet conditions well and their positional play, backing up and ball control gave them superiority. King Country played fairly well in the first half and now and then mounted attacking moves, but in the second spel the Australians, who were fitter. added five more goals. The King Country forwards could not handle the conditions, and in comparison with the tourists, were slow to keep the ball moving from man to man. R. Evans, the Australian in-side-right, played brilliantly, and excellent work was done also by R. Hodder the rightwing. and the centre-forward, D. Martin. P. Dearing, in goal, and J. Ellis, defended ably. C. Wilson, the King Country goal-keeper, saved his side many times. He continued to defend resolutely in the second spell but the pressure was too strong. The outstanding players for King Country were the back, D. Grattan, the half-back. R. Hodgson, and the forwards. N. O’Riley and B. O’Shannessey. The goal scorers for Australia were Evans (2) Martin (2). N. Duncan. Hodder, and D Piper.