HOCKEY

Grey River Argus, 26 August 1946, Page 2

HOCKEY

WAIMA) TEAMU WIN GREYMOUTII lln;i’l! ITT'|ilATli:i» Playing on n ground Uml fiotm became a qungnilro, lln> vlslllng Wnlmai (Nelson) hoHU’y leiima HCiirod narrow bill eonvlili’liig wins ov*>r llm West Coast ruproiH'iiluHv<> and nills' teams al the l(oi'rnidloii I'ruiuul on Saturday. Heavy rail) >'nrll<T had left waler lying on Ibp ground and this was soon churned up and nindo conditions linpos;ilblc for good liocliey but in such condll loiifi Hie play was very inleresllng, and In parts clever. In the early match Hie Walniai juniors dofeiiled the West Coast. Colls by 6 'goals Io 5 In an exciting finish. The Colls established a commanding lend early in the match but Waimai finished doggedly Io score their goals in quick succession late in the second spell. For Walmai goals were scored by 11. Crooks (3), Harris (2) and Hayward, and for Colts K. Curn'ow, G. Williams. (2), and Hill (2). Messrs J. Sloss and F. West were the referees. A good crowd had assembled when Hie main game commenced and keen interest was shown. In a fine and exciting finish Waimai scored the deciding goal just before the final bell. For Waimai the outstanding players were R. Boyes (goalkeeper), E. Tarrant (full-back), Westrupp and Hill (halves) and Stewart, A. Bachelor and Mayston (forwards). The Coast team performed well on its first appearance and the form shown augurs well for matches against visiting Christchurch teams, and against the Canterbury representative team next month. L. Cairns, in goal, played a fair game, although handicapped by mud. Nimmo and Seguin got through a tremendous amount of defensive work with Seguin perhaps the better. The halves all played well. Although Atkinson was in the thick of it all the way, Grogan and Beckman were also sound. The pick of the forwards was Kendon, the right wing. Williams on the other flank did not impress. Curnow was a hard worker as was Clarke, but both were inclined to crowd one another, although there was always a doubt as to where and how far the ball would travel. Eatwell was sound and combined well with Kendon. THE PLAY. Coast attacked from the outset but penalties for offside spoilt many promising movements. Curnow was showing up and was unlucky on several occasions. Waimai were showing fine, combination and stick work and gave the impression that they would be dangerous on a dry ground. Coast were the first to score, Clarke following through fast to net. Waimai retaliated, but sound defence by Grogan and Seguin held them at bay. After a humorous, but grim struggle in the mud m the Coast goalmouth A. Bachelor equalised. From a penalty corner J. Stewart netted to put Waimai ahead. Kendon was particularly dangerous on Coast’s left wing but his fine work was spoilt by the other forwards being continually offside. Curnow sent in a stinging shot which was brilliantly saved by Boyes. Tarrant cleared and Waimai attacked for J. Stewart to make the score: Waimai 3, Coast 1. Not to be denied Clarke received to score Coast’s second goal and after another mud scramble Eatwell equalised and the spectators were greatly excited. However, by clever stickwork and combination Waimai pressed and again Stewart netted. Coast attacked hotly and the most amusing incident of the day took place. The Coast forwards swarmed into the circle where the mud was inches deep and the ball soon was lost and players and sticks became so mixed up that the referee ordered a bully in the circle. This was fought out between Boyes and Clarke and aftei a struggle lasting quite some time Waimai cleared and the game ended soon afterwards. Waimai 4; Coast 3. Referees: Messrs Newton and W. J. Terrill.