HOCKEY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 21 May 1926, Page 10

HOCKEY.

INDIAN ARMY v.‘ TARANAKI

VISITORS WIN BY 7 TO 2

Played in the rain, on a heavy ground, tlio match between the Indian Army team and Taranaki resulted in a win for the visitors by seven goals to two. The civic welcome to Eltham, the scene of the encounter, was perforce abandoned, due to the fact that luggage difficulties, a. couple of punctures, and carburettor trouble _ caused the soldiers to be later in arrival than they had anticipated. They were in good time for the match, however. They •effected a rapid change and, headed by the Eltham Pipe Band, under Drum-Major D. Clement, marched to the park.- Clad in red turbans, red socks, blue blazers, and white pants, the party presented a fine athletic and soldierly appearance. At once the British officers got their’team out on the green for a preparatory trial of the ground. By this time the approaches to the nark were lined with many motor cars, the stand was full, . and crowds surrounded the field. It was evident that the guarantee of £4O had been far exceeded. and this on so unpropitious a day. Indeed, some £93 were taken at the gates. Having watched a curtainraiser between ladies’ teams from! Kaponga and Stratford —won by the latter through a. goal scored by Miss Junes in the first half, and another by Miss Curtis in the second —the crowd watched with keen anticipation the Indians retire to the dressing room for ‘final preparations. Taranaki appeared bigger as they took the field ahead of the slighter visitors. The customary short New Zealand cheers were countered by equal decision on the Indians’ part, and following their English cheer they gave a native, equivalent. The players were seen to occupy the following positions: THE TEAMS. Indian Army (blue).: Coal, Ghulman Ali; right back, .Dhiay.ii Singh; lefthack, Eaqur Chain!; right half, .Captain Alexander; centre half, Captain 'Cowan (captain); left- half. Juginder Singh; outside right, Lai Sliah; inside right, Mumusami; centre forward, Dhian Chand; inside left, Captain Belchamber; outside left, Susainathan. Taranaki (yellow and black): Goal, T. Bennie (Kaponga); right- hack, Briggs (Kaponga), captain; left hack, Des Forges (New Plymouth); right half, Davies (Eltham); centre half, Page (Eltham); left half, Kehely (Kaponga) ; outside right, TV. Bennie (Kaponga) ; inside .right, K. Pennington (Eltham); centre forward, R. Irwin (Eltham); inside left, H. Lambic (Eltham ; outside left, C. Prior (New Plvmouth). THE PLAY. Right from the bully-off the visitors established their supremacy, Dhian Chand registering a goal in the first minute of play. Indian Army 1 Taranaki 0 Taranaki, awakened thus rudely, pushed down into the Army circle, but were stopped by long Ali clearing with his feet. The" local men returned to attacking territory, and TV. Bennie having broken through and- left the half line behind, centred to Irwin, who transferred to- Prior. The New Plymouth man drove the ball into- the net amidst considerable enthusiasm. Indian Army 1 Tarajiaki 1

At this stage of the play the home forwards were showing plenty of dash, keeping a good line, and making use of their opponents’ initial inability to judge the strength of the turf. The next movement, of score-like proportions developed on the Indian left wing, and Captain Cowan carried the play into the circle. An ensuing corner, hit failed.. Securing the ball in, his own 25, Susainathan ran the length of the field, and when within shouting distance the defence reached and booked his stick. Des Forges cleared. The Indians, playing a liftjug shot in their passes, continued to press, and Captain Belchamber scored. Indian Army 2 Taranaki 1

A Taranaki attack, in which Irwin was prominent, resulted in a 25. Winning the bully, the home centre forward came near scoring, hut his shot went wide. Captain Belchamber, Dhian Chand, and Mumusami were associated in a passing bout, which Des Forges was responsible for stopping. The Taranaki, team was playing a longer hitting game than their opponents. It served them, but presently the Indians consolidated, made their passes a- little snappier, their distances between forwards and between balf line and vanguard a little shorter, and with this cohesion in a measure mastered the elements. Their play brightened. The whistle for half-time went with the score 2 —l in favour of, the visitors.

In the second spell the first movement of importance was a> nippy forward one between Captain Belchamber, 'Dim in, Chand and Mumusami. It reached the home goal-keeper. He held up the attack, and gave liis full-backs an opportunity to clear. Two Indian forwards returned to the circle, however. and, dodging the custodian, they found the net-. Indian Army 3 Taranaki 1

Taranaki had plenty of spirit left, and Ali was called upon to use all his ‘determination in clearing his goal. He saved the situation by kicking out. The Army was now assuming the upper hand .and its forwards eluded the defence repeatedly. Twice in close succession the light Indian centre forward scored as the result of good combination, and gave, his side a- commanding lead.

Indian Army 5 Taranaki .. 1 Taranaki were still capable of both resistance and attack, and from a melee in the goal mouth Lambic scored. Indian Army 5 Taranaki -

That was the home team’s last fruitful effort. The score against them was increased as a result of a corner hit, of which the visitors received hut two during the- match. The first was not successful. The second showed a smartness, coolness and certainty in shooting worthy of the game’s host players. The last goal came as the result of the best- piece of individual work in the match. Captain Belchamber’s stiok guided the ball elusiv.ely, forehand and reverse, from half-way into the net, leaving the final score reached in a dull light— Indian Army Taranaki 2

The referees were Messrs IT. C. Johnson (Stratford) and J. Downs (Christchurch).