SECOND HOCKEY TEST

Evening Star, Issue 22069, 1 July 1935, Page 5

SECOND HOCKEY TEST

INDIA WINS 3-2 BRILLIANT PLAY ON BOTH SIDES [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 29. The second hockey test, India v. New Zealand, was played at Athletic Park in bright sunshine, an ideal setting. The ground was on the heavy side. There was no change in the teams. Tho umpires were Messrs W. H. Down and W. A. Scott. Unlike in the match with Wellington, when they played in sandshoes, the Indians wore sprigged boots. They dominated the first few minutes. Bowden relieved a dangerous position, and New Zealand went down field _ and gained a penalty corner, but Spiers’s shot was turned aside, and India was soon in the New Zealand circle. Ewan sent tho ball out.

! New Zealand attacked, and Bay, in a great run, reached the India circle, where several corners were stopped spectacularly. Fernandez was prominent in both rushes ami clearances, and Chanel, the mainstay of the Indian defence, stopped shots 'from several corners.

Weils opened up play for India, and soon, following brilliant passing by Chand and his brother, Wells connected cleanly, beating Moore by feet. India 1-0.

New Zealand continued to take an even part in the exchanges, India employing all its knowledge of defence, and finding it difficult to keep the ball out. Spiers and Watts were together in a spirited run which beat all but the full-back. Bowden took the ball off Fernandez’s stick at the critical stage. A moment later Bowden received an injury, holding up play for some little time. New Zealand made a good attempt just before half-time. Watts ami Wellbourne penetrating, but Ahmed cleared effectively. The crowd was non-partisan, cheering any individual or combined effort on either side alike.

New Zealand, -with the sun at their back, attacked strongly second spell, and from a corner for obstruction, M'Leod drove past a bunch of Indian defenders, equalising. 1 all.

This put India on its mettle, and a scintillating attack followed. Moore smothered Wells’s drive at goal, hut the relief was only temporary. Dhyan Chand secured at the twenty-five line, and, heating defender after defender by consummate stickwork, flicked a high one past Moore. New Zealand attacked, and M'Leod kept play wbll to the forwards. _ A score seemed likely, Mukerji stepping it at the expense of a painful knock. _ Moore was soon called on to kick clear, but had no chance to save when Rup Singh tapped to Chand. India 3-1.

Wellbourne nearly got through with a smashing drive. Dey broke away, and placed India on defence again. The New Zealand forwards lost control at tho critical moment.

Rup Singh drew a roar when he spurted through to the circle with the ball balanced on his stick. New Zealand later gave India the advantage by obstruction, but the net was not assailed.

With a few minutes to go, the Indian attack was suddenly turned into defence. Wellbourne passed to Turbitt, a brilliant shot from whom Mukerji saved. Tho ball came out to Watts, and Mukerji was out of position, and had no chance to save. India 3-2. “ Sticks ” in quick succession rqfibcd India, and New Zealand attacked fiercely. Watts was knocked out for some moments in a melee in the Indian twenty-five. Then Dey was obstructed by Mukerji, and a penalty bully was ordered. Mukerji, amid great excitement, cleared over tbe twenty-five line. Turbitt drew tho crowd to its feet by solo runs, the ball balanced on his stick. Watts was obstructed by Mukerji, and a penalty bully was twice ordered to be retaken. The third time Mukerji cleared safely, right on time. India 3 New Zealand 2

LOCAL MATCHES TECHNICAL OLD BOYS v. ’VARSITY B. Playing on Oval No. 1, which was very sodden, Technical Old Boys displayed improved form to beat ’Varsity Bby 7-2. The first spell saw little incident till Grant put in a fast one to open Technical’s account. ’Varsity’s defence was weak, but the Technical forwards did not seem to be able to get the ball into the net. However, from a scramble G. Silver netted again. ’Varsity now retaliated, and after a nice passing rush Shaw scored. Halftime found the score 2-1.

Early in the second spell Technical display better form, swinging the ball about in good style. As a result Grant scored three goals in quick succession. ’Varsity were not rising their wings enough, and wore finding the heavy ground a handicap. The ’ Varsity goalie was working well, and made some good saves, but the Purple forwards maintained tho pressure, and Grant scored again. ’Varsity inside forwards were after every opportunity, and were rewarded for their efforts when M'Clury sent in a real hot shot. Midfield play followed for some time till G. Silver broke away on Tcchnical’s wing, and netted from a different angle. The game slowed up considerably towards tho end, and there was no further score when the whistle sounded, leaving the result:— Technical 7 ’Varsity B 2 i Messrs C. Sew Hoy and A. Chapman refereed. WOMEN'S MATCHES MOMONA v. ’VARSITY. This game, played on Oval No. 1, was very evenly contested. From the start the teams worked hard, and after even play in the first half the scores were ’Varsity 1, Momona nil. The second half opened with the ’Varsity forwards attacking, and very soon they scored again. Momona then attacked, but wore unable to find the not. ’Varsity scored again just before time, and the game ended;— ’Varsity 3 Momona 0 Mr R. Brown was the referee.

KINGS v. DUNEDIN. Kings met Dunedin on Logan Park 1, which was in fairly good condition considering the weather, The first spell was very fast, with Kings pressing hard, but off-side play spoilt many movements, and at half-time there was no score. Second half opened with a good movement by Dunedin, but this was broken up by the opposing backs. Much up-and-down play followed, and eventually from a scramble in front of the goal Miss Harley netted for Kings. Miss Wells, in goal for Kings, played a very sound game, while the Dunedin goalie had very little to do. Both Dunedin backs played very well, but of the two Miss Burt was the better. There was no further score, and the game ended 1-0 in favour of Kings. Miss Adams was referee. ALBANY v. OLD BOYS’ A. Albany and High School Old Boys’ A met at Tonga Park, which was in very poor order, and the game was productive of little good play. Albany’s strong hitting tactics appeared to suit the conditions better than Oh/ Boys’ style, and this was probably responsible for-the lied and Black’s victory by 3 goals to 2. Albany had a territorial advantage for a while after the commencement, and there were several occasions on which Old Boys’ goal was endangered. From a melee in Old Boys’ circle, Ward opened the scoring, and from this stage Old Boys appeared to put more sting into their movements. The ball went up the field to the forwards, who struggled to Albany’s circle, where Gillespie evened the scores with a good shot. The ground was slippery enough when play was started, but it was in a deplorable state by half-time, and few attacks of an organised nature could survive. The spell ended without further score.

Albany held Old Boys at bay practically throughout the second half, long passes and hard hitting confusing tho defence and disorganising most attempts at attack. Despite the pressure, Old Boys broke away several times, but could never reach a scoring position. The spell was not far advanced when Albany forced an attack home and took the lead, and not long afterwards gained an easy score. Play was on the edge of Old Boys’ circle and Callan was about to clear, but he slipped, and Rennick lost no time in taking advantage of the situation. Towards the end of the game Old Boys rallied onec more, and an attack resulted in a penalty corner, from which Gurr sent in a fine shot. Although Old Boys tried hard for the equalising goal, Albany was able to stem all attacks, and the game ended;— Albany 3 High School Old Boys ... 2 Dr Monnheiraer and Mr A. A. Wheatley were referees.