ATTRACTIVE HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 55, 3 September 1934, Page 14

ATTRACTIVE HOCKEY

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH

WAIRARAPA-WELLINGTON

Attractive play was .seen in the representative hockey match between Wairarupii niirl Wellington, which was contested at Karori Park on Saturday afternoon, and which resulted in a draw, lall. The ground, although a little bumpy, was linn, and a fast pace was maintained throughout both spells.

The teams were:— Wairarapa: Tildcrsly; Walls, Massey; Kuiitson, irwin, Cummin?; Jackson, Foster, Struthers (a Wellington player making up a shortage in the team), Fisher, Brazendale. Wellington: Davis; Hull, Falconer; Lewcombe, McLeod, Stewart; Hamilton, Wheatley, Cooper, \ Vellum, McDonald. For the greater part of the game neither side was allowed to press home advantages given by fast forward play or breaches by the defenders. Wairarapa's goal was registered shortly after the start as the result of fine opportunism by Foster. The Wairarapa forwards were attacking and David did not attempt to stop a forward drive from well out. The ball struck one of the goalposts and travelled across the front of the net, and Foster, coming in fast, switched it past Davis. There was mo addition to the score by halftime.

The halves on both sides were well suited by the style of play, the moderate hitting enabling them to intercept and spoil combined efforts to a considerable extent. Massey and Cumming, both exWellington players, consistently broke up the Wellington attacks down the right wing. Of the local full-backs Hull was the more impressive. His tackling and clearances were always sure and lie fully confirmed the impression formed of him in club matches, that he is one oE the iinest full-backs in Wellington. Falconer gave, him good support, but his clearances were not made to the best advantage at times. Both sets of forwards appeared to lack finish on attack on numerous occasions, but this was probably accounted for by the spirited defensive play of the backs. The Wairarapa vanguard gained as many corners as the local forwards, and it was remarkable that more use was not made of them.

Wellington combined better in the second spell, the ; inside forwards, in particular, making an improved showing. Their reward came when W.heatley, secured the ball from a long corner' and drove past Tildersly, who was handicapped by the nearness of several other Wairarapa players. Both sides had scoring opportunities during the rest of the game, but strenuous defensive play kept the forwards in check. Struthers earned praise for his sound work at'centre-forward for the visitors. The umpires were Messrs. D. Burgess (Wairarapa) and AY. Purvcs (Wellington).