COMMENTS

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

COMMENTS

Given the lieavv ground mid the dispiriting conditions, it is difficult' to form an accurate estimate of the 1 form which the visitors are capable of. They comfortably accounted for Taranaki’s best side. Taranaki, however, is not at present particularly strong in hockey, nor has this branch of sport ever been so keenly followed here as it lias been in centres such as Auckland and Wellington in the North Island. After the war it was 1919 before regular matches commenced again. In 1924 there was a. lull, hut last year and this the game .has gained momentum. Yesterday was all in favour of the local men. At home in moist conditions, their harder hitting and more hustling characteristics were less liable to dislocation than the fine precision of the visitors’ stick work, which calls for a fast even surface to display itself at its best. In the slow field at El tha in their nimble and intricate — rather than, speedy —forward work could he overtaken by the defence. Judging, with hare material, however, the foundations of the visitors’ game, it seems, that there is no reason why fast following forwards with longer passing than the visitors employ should not be able to win, because the backs do not give tile impression of being heavy hitters in the face of fast •attack. Cowan, though a great player, was no better than was Hugh MacGregor on. a muddy ground. Robert Frazer had every hit as much command of the hall as any half or forward yesterday. It is a smooth, dexterous machine, hut New Zealand hockey is like its Rugby, and it'remains to be seen if the visitors’ hacks are accustomed to the strain, and that bit of tiger, which our best forward teams should he able to bring to bear Upon them. This much may he said: that Captain Cowan and Ghulman Ali, centre half and goal respectively, have that- dash of irresistibility in defence which their team mates will probably crystallise around, and rise to the heights of their forwards. The wings were not so extensively exploited as is the case .in the Dominion, possibly on account of the conditions. To the conditions also is probably due the narrow point upon which the Indian forwards worked while in possession. Neither side was remarkable j for its sense of position. Of the visitors Dhian Chand, and then Captain Belchamber, were the best- of tlie forwards. Captain Cowan and Ghulman Ali were the best of. the hacks. For Taranaki, Des Forges stood, out as the best hack. No forward' was more conspicuous than, another.

THE DINNER

(From .Our Own Correspondent.)

Tii© British officers iu the team were entertained to dinner at the Central Hotel by the Taranaki Hockey Association. A number of guests were invited, including the Tavanaki team. The president of the Taranaki Association (Mr I. ,d. Bridger) presided, and after the loyal toast had been honoured, he called upon Sir Walter Uarncross -to propose the toas.t of our sister Bom in ion •‘lndia,” which he did in an eloquent and pleasing manner. He dealt at length with the development of India and the great fighting qualities ol its people. The chairman at this stage said that in his official capacity as Mayor he wished to state the great pleasure it gave the citizens to honour the officers and men of the team in their midst, even if it was. only for m few hours. He said that he regretted i - ery much that the civic reception had to he abandoned, as he was 'anxious to make the visitors feel at home. India gave very generously to the Empire’s needs during the Great War. Its people shared the same difficulties, the same hardship, suffering, and loss just as readily and as proudly as all other part of the great British Commonwealth, and he was therefore very pleased to welcome the team. Mr H. C. ironnson then proposed the toast ‘‘Visiting Team,” a.itd in doing so remarked that the game they had witnessed that day was the finest exhibition of hockey that he had) ever seen, and he was satisfied that the visit would prove of. great‘value to Taranaki and to the Dominion in stimulating new life and interest in 'the hockey game. He congratulated 'the visitors on their very fine play. Captain Cowan replied to the two toasts on behalf of the team, remarking that the two Dominions knew very little of each other, and the present visit- would he of untold value in disseminating a. knowledge of New Zealand throughout the ludian Army. Referring to the match, he said that 'the game was a very fine one, and the Taranaki team had kept them fully extended throughout. He honed that hockey in Taranaki' would lie greatly benefited by the match. “New Zealand Hockey Association” was proposed by Mr Davison, of Ivapongn. He paid a tribute to the'enterprise of the Dominion executive in bringing the Indian team to New Zealand, and was perfectly satisfied that it would do a vast amount' of good in raising the standard of play. Mr Downes replied on behalf of the association.

The next toast was that of the “‘Taranaki Hockey Association,” proposed by Captain Cox. The president replied, and said that he was proud of the men’s play, which he considered was very creditable, consklcrinp’ the team had not played together before, and also the fact that we were at the commencement and not the end of the season’s fixtures, which would have given the individual players greater experience. He paid a tribute to the secretary (Mr Jackson), who was, be said, practically responsible for securing the match for Taranaki. His work had been very strenuous owing to the extraordinary require-