HOCKEY TOURNEY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 31, 5 August 1925, Page 9

HOCKEY TOURNEY

WELLINGTON A WINS | AGAIN B TEAM LOSE TO CANTERBURY, • The provincial hockey tournament was continued at the Basin Reserve yester-" day afternoon in fine ' conditions, although the grounds were heavy from the previous day's rain. There was a fair attendance. Before the fixtures proper, Nelson and Wellington B payed off to settle definitely the questiua of their draw on Saturday. In -this match Wellington scored first from-the stick of A. Smith, and were thug given the game against Canterbury. Their luck was not in on this latter occasion, however, and they Were soundly beaten by-the Canterbury men to the tune of 6 goals to 1. The score against them probably would have been bigger but for the Jact that Canterbury were constantly off-side. In the other match, Otago v. Wellington A,, the local team had little difficulty in the first spell ol securing a three-goal lead, and they held this advantage to the end in'spite of determined attacks by Otago. The visitors lost several opportunities by erratic .hitting, and Wellington, as on Saturday, gave " sticks " too often. WELLINGTON A V. OTAGO The teams were:— Otago: Davies (goal), Ireland, Flett, Butler, Gurr, Leonard, Smith, Bridgman, Woodfield, Hinton, and Mayston. " Wellington: Guy (goal), Perrin,' Spiers, Elder, Trott, Joblin, W. Hood, D. Hood, Stratton, R. Lusty, and Jacobsen. Immediately after the commencement Wellington attacked, rod though' "sticks was given against them, finally worried their way through, W. Hood putting in a pretty angle shot. Wellington -1, Otago 0. Otago then took a Hand in the game, but Gurr mined a shot when a good (coring opportunity offered. _ The Otago men were minimising their chances of netting by erratio hitting in the circle, but their centrehalf, Gurr, made do mistake about hi* shot at goal this time. Wellington 1, Otago 1. At this point. Otago s luck failed them, for Wellington secured the ball. R. Lusty slammed in a shot,, but the Otago goalie saved. He was too late to clear and D. Hood, lushing in, scored. Wellington 2, Otago 1. Despite the Southern team's strenuous efforts to clear, tie Wellington forward* remained in the circle, and their persistence was rewarded when W. Hood beat the goalkeeper from the same angle as previously. Wellington 3, Otago h Otiy;o got the ball at last, but Spiers and Perrin were too good for them, and play returned upfield, where W. Hood shot over the goal-top. Otago. cleared, but Wellington came back, and R. Lusty, after one unsuccessful shot, put in another hard one, which reached the net. Wellington 4, Otago 1. After the interval Otago had things pretty well their own way, and, though they were not able to score, they harassed the Wellington . backs persistently. Bometimes the local men got away, Jacobsen showing up well, but they were invariably beaten for the ball. The game ended with the scores: Wellington 4, Otago 1, and with Otago still attacking. Messrs. Hatch and Scott 'were capable referees. ; CANTERBURY V. WELLINGTON B After the first fifteen minutes of play Canterbury were predominant in their encounter with Wellington B, and the local boys never looked like winning. Canterbury were a different team from that which took the field against Otago on Monday. Several new players were introduced into the ranks, and their inclusion seemed to strengthen the Southerners' combination. The Wellington men were overwhelmed in the second half, and Canterbury's score would no doubt have been much bigger had their shooting not been io erratic. Time and again they had opportunities of scoring which they did not take full advantage, of. The teams were v— > Canterbury : Goal, H. • Snooks; full, backs, M'Donald and W. Skelton; halfbacks, A. Mahoney, P. Hill, and B. Hore: forwards, r. Quartennain, S. Bell, W. Grade, W. Bell, H. Ford. Wellington B: Goal, T. Brennanj full-backs, H. Martin and H. Martisi half-backs, 0. Free, Clout, Fraser; forwards, Smith, Cooper, Freeihy, Hoare, Barry. Canterbury set up a. strong attack from the "bully-off," Quarteimain taking the ball down to the Wellington* twenty-five, but he spoilt the; movement by putting the ball behind the line. The Canterbury vanguard got moving nicely, and Ford netted smartly after three minutes of play. Canterbury 1, Wellington B 0. Freethy and Smith were conspicuous for Wellington, and the ball travelled fast down to-the Canterbury circle, but Snooks neatly stopped the rush, and put his goal out of danger. Wellington had a fine chance of opening up their scoring account, but they were penalised in the Southerners' circle for off-side play. The Canterbury forwards made a determined sally down* field, and gained the Wellington circle. The Wellington backs failed to clear, and Gracie followed up well and scored. Canterbury 2, Wellington 0. A great dash upfield by Barry transferred play, to the Southerners' twenty-five. An excellent centre was accepted by Copper, who passed to Freethy, and the lastnamed completed the movement, shooting the ball past Snooks. Canterbury 2, Wellington B 1. In succeeding play Canterbury had the best of the et* changes, but no further score resulted before half-time. From the commencement of the second spell Canterbury took the upper hand, and Wellington, except for brief intervals, ware kept oh the defence. The Southern men were, a little too eager in their circle play, however, and missed several good chancel of scoring. They managed to put on four more goals, though, before tima was called, Gracie (2), Quartermain, and W. Bell being the scorers. Wellington' played on gamely, but they were unable to improve their tally,' the gams ending : Canterbury 6, Wellington B 1