BRILLIANT AUSTRALIAN HOCKEY REPS. TO MEET P.B. ON GISBORNE GROUND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22698, 24 July 1948, Page 6

BRILLIANT AUSTRALIAN HOCKEY REPS. TO MEET P.B. ON GISBORNE GROUND

The Austral inn hockey players at present in the Dominion, reputed to be the best side the Commonwealth has yet sent on tour, meet Poverty Bay at the Childers Road Reserve, Gisborne, on Wednesday in the third of the 17 games to be played within four weeks. The Gisborne match is regarded ns one of the stiffest the visitors will have prior to the Test at Dunedin on August 7.

The Australians' playing Itinerary opened with the match against Waikato at Hamilton today, Saturday, and provides for additional Saturday games against Manawatu at Palmerston North on duly 31, New Zealand u,t Dunedin on August ", Canterbury at Christchurch on August It, and Auckland at Auckland on August 21. Three mid-week games will be played each week. New Zealand so far has not been defeated in the eight tests played between the two countries since 1922. The first test was at Palmerston North, New Zealand winning 5-4. The other matches have resulted: Sydney, 1923, 2-1: Wellington, 1925, 5-1: Brisbane, 1927, drawn. 3-3: Auckland, 1929, 2-0; Sydney, 1922, 7-0; Dunedin, 1934, 5-3; Sydney, 1937. 1-0. TO CIIING V 1 :nSONNKI-

side, Canterbury, only by the odd goal in seven in a Challenge Shield contest. This season the P.B. players have beaten Hawke’s Bay, Wairoa and Central Bay of Plenty by convincing margins and the strong side chosen for Wednesday's encounter should uphold worthily the district reputation. Brief details of the players follow. T. Tnrbilt, tiie captain, inside left. — Mis representative honours include New Zealand, New Zealand Universities, Canterbury, Otago, Marlborough, and Poverty Bay; possesses splendid ball control, a wide range of strokes and good scoring ability, A. Coker, vice-captain, goal— Has represented Poverty Bay in the goal fairly consistently from 1932. Last year he played a brilliant game in the Shield match and was nominated for the North Island. Is safe and reliable, and lias the faculty of knowing when to leave his goal. 11. bow, centre half.—Toured India with the New Zealand Services team in 1940: has represented Poverty Bay on numerous occasions. Possesses remarkable stickwqrk. and can open up attack in a masterly fashion. G Slade, left wing.—Has the ability of being able to play in any position with credit; is dangerous in the circle, and scores brilliant goals with nonchalance; has represented Poverty Bay for many years and has been on occasion nominated for the New Zealand teamG. Cassin, left half. —Fills this difficult position with rare ability; this year nominated for the New Zealand team; has regularly represented Poverty Bay; breaks up attacks with dexterous reverse strokes: swings the attack with sound judgment ar.d recovers with speed. L. Roderick, Centre-forward. Has represented Poverty Bay on numerous occasions, and last year was nominated for the New Zealand team: has a smooth control over the ball and opens up attack with well-timed reverse and rush passes; has unusual scoring ability.

The manager of the present Australian team is Mr. Frank 11. Levy, of Melbourne. Brief details of the .17 players in the party follow: C. HI. iMorley, Victoria, the captain, lei t half: Has represented Victoria

since 1937 and has played 23 Carnival games for his State which he has captained for the last two seasons. He is the assistant-secretary to the Australian Hockey Association. In appearance he strongly resembles Don Bradman.

11. Josiffe, Queensland, the vice-cap-tain, centre half: Has been playing first-class hockey since 1934; represented Queensland in 1937-38-46-47.

J. Fointon, N.S.W., goal: Regarded as one of Australia's greatest keepers. Now 38, he is said to retain the form shown against the N.Z. team of 1937 and the N.Z. Army team in 1946. Ho played soccer for 17 years in England and Australia and first played hockey in 1935.

F. Johnson. Queensland, goal: Was a colt in the 1937 State side and has represented Queensland on several occasions.

D. Siggs, Queensland, right or left back: An ex-schoolboy rep. who has played for the State for two seasons. He is a member of the Valley Club which numbers 14 teams, said to be the biggest number playing for one club in Australia. lie was a member of last season's Queensland Sheffield Shield side.

A. Taylor, inside right.—Has had steady representation in the Poverty Bay team since 1940; cuts through openings with speed and good control: lias a quick eye and a wide range of strokes and can score from practically any position. M. Lynsky, left full-back,—Has represented Poverty Bay in this position since 193 G: is at present at the peak of his form: tackles with sound judgment and uses his long reach to advantage.

K. Thornton, Victoria, right hack: A product of under-age hockey and a protege of the skipper, Morloy; represented the State in 1946-47.

S. Southward, West Australia, right or left hack: Completes the team s penalty-corner squad. I’. Kennedy, West Australia, right half: Has outstanding ability with the push shot and tremendous pace; is one of four brothers who have represented the State.

E. Shields, right full-back.—One of the younger members of the team, he made an impression by his outstanding play in last year’s Shield match against Canterbury: exploits the scoop stroke to remarkable advantage: has the ability of opening up attacks from his own circle.

R Hancock, West Australia, right or centre half: Regarded as the best half in the State; has uncanny ability to retain control and disposscs opponents of the ball.

.T. Eoos, right wing.—Represented Wellington last year: has a rare turn of speed and splendid scoring ability. K. Cassin, right half.—ls another of Ihe younger members of (he team, but has worn the scarlet jersey on numerour occasions. He steps well with both stick and hand, and sets his wing in motion with accurate flick strokes. K. Harrison, reserve forward—First represented P.B. in 1938: is dangerous in the circle; tackles well. P.. Langliornc,. reserve, back.—A young player who has gained distinction ns a B rep.

11. McNamara, Queensland, left half: Was one of the successes of the last inter-State Carnival; has played A grade tennis and Rugby. A. Schulte, Queensland, right wing: Started playing at 15 and at 32 is probably at his peak; has represented Queensland since 1934 and played against N.Z. in 1937; is an outstanding athlete and is credited with breaking evens’ has won the State broad jump on five occasions and the pentathlon on three.

I. Dick, West Australia, inside right: Aged 21 is already classed as a brilliant ins’ide and is expected to be one ot the stars of the side. H. Salisbury, Queensland, inside right: A product of school hockey; played for Queensland Colts in 1937-38-29 and the State in 1946-47; is an A grade cricketer. F. Browne, West Australia, inside left or centre-forward: AgCc. 34, learnt the game in India where he played centre-forward tor United Provinces for 13 years with Rup Singh occasionally his partner at inside right. A Barnes, Queensland, centreforward: Played for Brisbane, 1941; was robbed of Colts honours by the war years, but went into the Stale senior side in 1946-47. D. Cooper, Queensland, inside left: First played in Lismorc, N.S.W., and went to Brisbane in 1935, representing Queensland in 1946-47; is a noted basketball player. IJ. Wise, Queensland, left wing: Progressed from boys’ hockey to State rep. in seven seasons; is another A grade cricketer. POVERTY BAY PLAYERS Trained by the coach-selector, Mr. G. Langhorne, in (lie Indian style of play, Poverty Bay sides show a substanial win credit in games of recent seasons and have gained a reputation for sound, attractive hockey. Last season’s reps, lost to the Dominion premier

ITINERARY OF TOUR

The playing itinerary of the Australian hockey team now touring is:— July 24. —v. Waikato at Hamilton.

July 26. —v. Bay of Plenty, at Whaka-

lane. July 28. —v. Poverty Bay, at Gisborne. July 29.—-v. Hawke’s Bay, at Hastings. July 31. —v. Manawatu, at Palmerston North. Aug. 2. —v. Wairarapa, at Masterton. Aug, 3. —v. North Otago, at Oamaru. Aug. 4.—v. Southland, at InvercargillAug. ~.—v. New Zealand, at Dunedin. Aug. 9.—v. South Canterbury, at

Timaru. Aug. 11.—v. Buller, at Westport. Aug. 12. —v. West Coast. at Grey

mouth. August 14. —v. Canterbury at Christ-

church. Aug. If.—v. Nelson, at Nelson

Aug. 18. — v. Wellington, at Welling-

ton. Aug. 19.—v. Wanganui at Wanganui Aug. 21. —v. Auckland, at Auckland.

HOCKEY TEAM WELCOMED.—A warm welcome to the Australian hockey team was extended by the Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, at a civic reception in Auckland yesterday. The Mayor said since 1922 New Zealand had not been defeated in hockey test matches against Australia. This visiting team, however, was a formidable one and if it could master the soft grounds here New Zealand would have to look to its laurels. Brief replies were made by the manager, Mr. ET. Levy, and the cantain, Mr. C. M- Morley. Mr. Levy said they hoped this time to give New Zealand a surprise.