HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 33, 8 August 1921, Page 4

HOCKEY

A WIN FOR WELLINGTON

WANGANUI WELL BEATEN

Tiie first locally-played representative hockey match this season took place at the Basin Reserve on Saturday, when Wellington met and easily defeated the Wanganui eleven. The conditions were anything but favourable. It rained heavily throughout; the match, and the ground was very sticky. Such conditions were not conducive to fast play. Hockey is oiie of the fastest of field games, but 1 must be played on a dry ground to be attractive. The Wellington forward line stood out prominently throughout the match and gave some idea of its ability on a favourable ground. Any other brilliancy was confined to individuals—Sherwood on the Wellington side and Blundell, Bradley, and Frager on the Wanganui side. The teams were: Wanganui.—L. R. Spurdle (goal); C. Higgins and V. Bradley (full-backs); E. Watson. P. Fraser, G. Conncll (halves); L. Masters, G. Blundell, S. Hawkins, R. Sinclair, A. Webb (forwards). Webb was captain. Wellington.—C. Moore (goal); F, Sherwood and V. Paget (full-backs); C. Martin, W. Tulford, F. J. Price (halves); Fredericks, E. Heaphy, A. Stratton, D. Hood, T. Watchman (forwards).., Heaphy was captain. The toss gave neither side any- advantage, for there was no wind and no sun. Wanganui attacked from the first bully, and Price sent the ball back, but he did not make the most of hjs opportunity. From a throw-jn Wellington worked the play down the field past Wanganui's twenty-five, and after a" spell of scrappy play in this vicinity Webb set the Wanganui forwards moving and there was , some entertaining play in Wellington ' territory. Welling ton players were twice penalised • for sticks, but eventually the forwards broke away with a fast rush. Watson saved the situation. A little later Stratton. had a rare chance, but his shot did not reach home. Wellington's determined attack was soon broken, and three times Wellington was penalised in Wanganui's twenty-five, the players appearing over-anxious. -Following on one free hit, Blundell made a very good attempt to score. The ball just missed the goal mouth..- Wellington was .on the de : fensive for ten minutes or so, and Sherwood cleared 011 numerous occasions. Higgins also did good work. It was Wellington's turn to attack, but the state of the ground was against the fast-mov-ing 1 forwards, who frequently fan over the ball. Stratton had another shot after a corner, but missed. Wellington went near to scoring a few minutes later, but Higgins pushed the ball out. Some bright play on tho part of Masters and Blundell gave Wanganui a chance. Play went to tlje other end of the field, but from a bully at twenty-five Wellington commenced a move which might have had good results. I}, was some time before the forwards broke away properly, but when they did it was to some purpose. Wellington was given; a corner, and a straight shot from Hood was stopped by Spurdle. .Wanganui sent the ball to the other end of the field and Webb caught it bofore it. went behind. He centred magnificently. Sinclair took the centre, and with an open goal, and plenty of time a score seemed certain. His shot missed badly. Much scrappy play followed. Blundell cleared for Wanganui after Wellington had attacked for'five minutes, but Wellington soon returned. Ono shot from Heaphy went wide, but he made amends a few .seconds later—a brilliant hot shot which gave Spurdle no chance. Wellington 1, Wanganui 0. Wanganui played' more vigorously, but their various moves lacked finish. Wellington was attacking strongly when the first half of the game was" concluded.

In consequence of tho heavy rain no actual spell was taken; the teams merely changed over. Wellington attacked. Od ouo occasion Stratton brilliantly intercepted a centra from Watchman,, but over-ran the ball when he might have scored. Play was taken down-Held by Wanganui, and Moore, coming out of goal, kicked the ball. Webb returned: smartly with a spectacular shot -which just failed. Wanganui's defence was more sound at this stage, Bradley, a. nominee for the North Island team, playing a great game. The Wellington forwards attacked consistently,, and Watchman deserved the goal which was soon placed to his credit. He. sent the ball in hard from the edge of the circle and at a difficult angle. Wellington 2, Wanganui 0. Wellington rushed off again when play resumed, and missed j several scoring chances. Wanganui attacked temporarily, and Prico gave them a corner. From the hit-out Wellington forwards broke away; Heaphy and Stratton took the ball right - up" the field ,and met with practically no opposition. Heaphy finished. the job with a fine shot. Wellington 3, Wanganui 0. The Wellington forwards maintainedl the attack, the monotony of which was relieved occasionally. Heaphy followedi up a long hit. Spurdle, in coal, took things too confidently, and his stick missed tho ball. He did not realise this as quickly as Heaphy did, and the | latter rushed in and scored again. • Wellington i, Wanganui 0. Wellington was having all the best of the game now. Stratton had a shot which failed! to get very far. A penalty corner and an ordinary corner followed and ; spurdle was kept busy. A little later' Spurdle was caught out of position, and Hood scored an easy goal. Wellington 5, Wanganui 0., Wanganui's attacks were spasmodic. 'Masters did some good work, but he seemed, too fast for tho rest cf the forward line, and th-ero was nobody to receive at least two centres. The visiting forwards were determined enough, and fully deserved tn score. Masters eventually broko the duck by pushing the ball between the post during tho progress of v scramble at the goal mouth. Wellington 5, Wanganui 1. It v.-as after this , that Wanganui gave a tasto of ■ their real ability, but they. had left it too late. The game became much faster. Five minutes be-' fore time Stratton scored again. The game ended: Wellington 6, Wanganui 1. The referees were. Messrs. Cusack and 1 Edwards. The game was witnessed by about 300 enthusiasts.