ALL BLACKS OF HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 52, 30 August 1932, Page 10

ALL BLACKS OF HOCKEY

TOURING TEAM RETURNS

A WARM RECEPTION

Crowned with the laurels of an unbeaten, record—eighteen matches played without a defeat—the Wellington and southern, members of the Dominion men's hockey team which toured Australia returned to-day by the Zealandia from Sydney. Despite their strenuous tour, and a not altogether pleasant crossing of the Tasman, the members ot the team looked well and happy when they stepped off the boat. Although they had had a wonderful time m Australia, one and all appeared glad to. too back With the exception of ■tsaj', the Auckland members of the team returned by the Monterey to Auckland. The team brought back the coveted Manning Memorial Cup, won by defeating Australia iv the Test match by 7 goals to nil. Australia has yet to hold the trophy, which was instituted in 1923 in memory of the late Mr. Albert Manning, who died in Melbourne while manager of the first New Zealand team to tour Australia. New Zealand has won the cup six times. The closest Australia has ever got to winning it was in 1927, at Brisbane, when New Zealand was held to a 3-all draw. The team and their manager, Mr. S. G. Holland, were given a warm' reepption by local hockey enthusiasts when they disembarked. Among the first to welcome the party were Mr. S. B. Browne, chairman of the Management Committee of the Wellington Hockey Association, and Mr. H. Hatch, senior Wellington selector. After greetings had been exchanged, the team were ushered into one of the wharf sheds, where they received an official welcome from Dr. H. C. Faulke, president of the Wellington Hockey Association, and a vice-president •of the New Zealand Hockey Association. . A CREDITABLE PERFORMANCE. After apologising for the absence of the president of the New Zealand Association, Dr. Faulke , said that the team had put up a very creditable performance. The two previous/teams to Australia had done remarkably well, and on looking at the present team's record, fifteen wins and three draws out of eighteen matches played,, it could be seen that they had done just as well. Nobody could expect a better record than that. "Since you have been so victorious, they have no doubt realised in Australia that Eugby is not the only game played by New Zealanders," said Dr. Faulke. "The standard of your play has been high, but I would remind all hockey enthusiasts that there is a higher standard of play to aim at. In time New Zealand may be able to play on even terms with the Indian Army team. At present I am afraid you have not reached that standard, although you. have played well in Australia." Dr. Faulke concluded by saying that the New.Zealand Hockey Association and all hockey enthusiasts were proud of the team. wonderful' team spirit. Replying on behalf of the team, Mr. Holland said that of all the receptions accorded the team during their tour, none had given thgm as much pleasure as the welcome home. When the team left New Zealand they were entrusted with the great name New Zealanders had on the field of sport, and he was pleased to say that every member of the team had lived up to that name, and had given true displays of sportsmanship. They had returned with a record of which they were very proud. Toward the end of the tour, when the members were beginning to feel the strain a little, there were one or two anxious moments, but all the players responded well. The secret of the team's success lay in the wonderful team spirit that prevailed throughout. Every player put on one side his personal ambitions and aspirations, ■ and worked in with the rest of the team like a link in a chain. The Test match in Sydney was a wonderful game. Australia had five State teams from which to select a team, and consequently fielded the flower of her hockey talent. It was the first occasion that five State teams had been on the one ground. "Our players were filled with determination to uphold the honour of New Zealand," he said, "and they deserved every goal they got, and so do Australia." (Laughter.) Before the players disbanded, C. Moore, the goalkeeper of the team, and vice-captain of the- Karori senior A team, presented P. Joblin, also a member of the touring team, and captain of the Wellington Club's senior A team, with the senior A championship cup, which the Wellington team won from Karori in the final of the senior A competition on Saturday. The manager and members of the team were subsequently entertained •at afternoon tea by members of the Management Committee of the Wellington Hockey Association.