HOCKEY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 June 1926, Page 4

HOCKEY

INDIAN ARMY v. CANTERBURY. GREAT GAME AT CHRISTCHURCH. VISITORS IVIN BY 2 TO 1. (by telegraph —press association.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 12. The Indian Army’ team played Canterbury on Lancaster Bark in waim 'weather.before an enormous attendance. Earlier matches had showed the Indians’ superiority. They pressed Canterbury hard, but the defence was very sound and Canterbury had occasional scoring opportunities. Cox, from the corner, put the bull over the net, but Dliiaiul Chanel scored a goal shortly before half-time, giving India a lead. In the second half the first- notable incident was a fine run by Coffey, whose centreing shot gave S. Boil Canterbury’s first goal. Then Dhiand Ghand scored after a very strong Indian attack. Great defensive plav bv Soper stopped another attack. With five minutes to go, Hoar, Bell and Teague attacked, but Kishan intercepted and cleared. Canterbury continued on the offensive and Quartermain sent in a shot which was wild. After more hard play the game ended, India Lack of opportunity, poor shooting and weak wing forward play lost Canterbury the chance of drawing with, or defeating, the Indians. Canterbury’s defence was first-class and the score is the lowest of the Indians to date, and a fair indication of the merits of the teams.

IN OTHER CENTRES AUCKLAND Somerville 4 v. St. Luke’s 3. University 3 v. Somerville Colts 1. Mt. Eden 2 v. Wesley 1, Areta 2 v. Stanley 1. INDIAN ARMY MANAGER SPEAKS. SYSTEM OF TRAINING. ' The visit of the Indian Army hockey team to New Zealand is opening the eyes of the Now Zealand public to the fact that hockey is more than a mere game; it is a scicnco. Captain D. T. Cowan, M.C., the manager of the Indian Army team, in tho course of an interview, stated that his team obtainod its results with the minimum of effort through correct footwork. When teaching the young Indian Army recruits the game of hockey, ho believed in starting from bedrock, by teaching correct footwork, through continual drill. First, slow work, then faster, and then at speed, under pressure. Each stage was brought to perfection before a player could hope to represent his regiment. A noticeable feature of the Indians’ play is that they always seem to arrive at the ball in a position to strike without any foot adjustment. Captain Cowan describes this as the science of correct arrival, which gives a player just that “fraction of a second’’ advantage over his opponent. In reply to a question, Captain Cowan confessed that the red stocking as worn by his team were part of a colour scheme, the very corner of an eye enabling the position of a colleague to be seon; though he laughingly added that a trained team hit to where the man ought to be, aud if he was not there to take the ball, he was due for an explanation afterwards. Questioned concerning the wonderful performances of his centre-forward, Dhian Chand, Captain Cowan brightened visibly. “Yes,’’ he replied, “the 'little boy’ is wonderful. His stickwork and control of the ball are an eyeopener to those who have not' previously seen him in action. “When playing on a good ground he often amazes me with the extrnordin 1 ary skill shown in manipulating his stick, and juggling with the ball. Although he is such a groat player he is very shy and modest, and really has no idea that he is such a remarkable and outstanding player.’’ Questioned regarding the New Zealanders whom he had played against during the present tour, Captain Cowan stated that they were the making of an extraordinary fine team. They were fast, good-evod, with great physique and stamina. He denied any suggestion of being critical, and said that anything he might say was with the sole idea of being helpful. The two main faults were the neglect of the rule against body play, and the lack of closer combination in work. The former is a matter for stricter refereeing, and the latter is improved by blackboard talks and the instilling of the idea of team work. A team must be a machine, each unit in its place, prepared to accept and deal with whatever comes along according to a set plan. “We have heard a lot about the high standard of hockey in Canterbury, and we arc looking forward to our visit to Christchurch,’’ added Captain Cowan. “We fully expect that the Canterbury players will put it across us.’’ All we ask for is good weather, and a dry ground, and may the better team win.”