TOWN v. COUNTRY

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 50, 28 August 1922, Page 2

TOWN v. COUNTRY

GOOD, EVEN GAME AT HUTT

COLTS MAKE A GOOD SHOWING.

A trial of strength between town and country teams was the ■ main hockey attiaotion on Saturday. The match waa played at the Hutt Recreation Ground under ideal conditions, end provided spectators with one of the best games of hockey seen in Wellington this seasons In fact, the Wellington City team, although comprised mainly of young and inexperienced players (&• far at representative matches are concerned), /gave a better ■ account - of, themselves than any of the teams selected to represent the province this season.. It was ~au indication of the strength of hockey in the Hutt Valley this year that the game ended.in a draw, each side securing two goals. Not only was the game o£ great interest, but it went to chow that there are many excellent exponents of the stick game among the younger players. The outstanding player on the field was the man who was mainly responsible for •verting the defeat o£ the ctiy .team — Roberts, the goalkeeper. He gave one of the most brilliant displays of goalkeeping yet Men in Wellington, time and again warding off determined attacks by the Hutt forwards. Spiers (right fuMback) was also sound on the defence,' and Adams (centre-half) worked well all the time. Of the'"forwards, A. M. Cousins (bully), who captained tho side, was:outstanding, and others who did well were Watchman (left wing) and E. ■ Cousins (inside right). G. Lusty, Jenness, A. Webley, and Smith were the outstanding players on the Hutt Valley, aide. Mr. B. A. Ginger made an efficient referee. '' ■, . TH^J PLAY.

For the first few minutes of the game the Hatt Valley eleven had matters much their own way, tfnd kei>t the City backs busily defending ' their gqai. Adams bioke, the spell and sent the bail across to the left, where it wits accepted 'by Watchman, who made a nice run downfield. Hi& progress was stopped by G. Lusty, and back, went play to the City half. Hatt' continued to be aggressive, but were unable to do very much with the' ball when they got in in the circle. A shot that went in from the ruck wa6 stopped oioely by Roberts. A. twenty-five bully eventuated shortly afterwards, and from this Adams, who had been conspicuous in defensive work right, from, the start, was able to clear. The City .forwards kroko away, but Cousins raws-hit the b*U just when hi* chances of breaking down the Hutt defence were very bright indeed,. Pi*y remained in midfiola (or some minutes, and then Kirk broke- away on tfao right wing, and sent the ball right aero« the field. Watchman carried on the movement in a promising way, but his old fault—running in too far. before sending the ball into the centre—proved hi« downfall. Hutt retaliated, but only briefly, aa it was not many minutes before City re,tiimed to their opponents' territory. jHere the Hutt goad wa* attacked in real earnest-, and several shots went .in in quick ■uoeession, one from Watchman, hitting the side of the net. Shortly afterwaids, C(w«in3.6ent in a high, shot, and' Cairns (the Valley goalkeeper), in hie-end«avout to tave, mfrittred the ruies. A penalty bully between Cousins and Cairns ml the result, and from this Cpnsiss opened the- .City scoring account. '.Wellington City 1, Hutt Valley 0- City remained on the initiative, for some time,: and Cousihs, Kirk, and.Watchman did good work. JuEt before the whistle sounded Hatt attacked again, ,but Roberts; proved,, too. sai« altogether and .kept his goal intact. The second :.ap»U-ww. the scoring gpell, and, although as tar as actual- play was concerned, honours ware easy, Hutt Valley scored two goals.to their opponents.' one. Smith (the' Hutt - Valley-left wing) distinguished himielf by making a nice run down the line, and for a time Roberts, Spiers, and Co. were kept busy. Up and down jplay followed for some minute*, and thfen came the unexpected. The Hutt forward* were set in motion, F. Lusty scored a good goal, and, before play bad been rosumarf many moment*, C*vill rushed up ana added a second. This g»ve Ho«t the lead—Z to 1. Thi» suddea change in the fortune* of the- game had the desired effect on the City team, and play became .very stasntidus. Fat a time it looked aa if Hutt would succeed in retaining their lead, but not many minutes before time wu sounded the City forwards made a strong bid. Watohman sent the leather in front th*» left,', wing, and Cousins added the final touches. Every endeavour to increase the soor* was made by both tides, but the game ended: Wellington City 2, Hutfc Valley Z.