HOCKEY VISITORS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 211, 20 August 1934, Page 5

HOCKEY VISITORS

AUSTRALIANS BEATEN WAIKATO WINS, 3—2. B.v Telegraph—Press Association HAMILTON, August 18. In an entertaining contest providing sparkling forward play, Waikato defeated the Australian hockey team at Hamilton to-day by three goals to two. The tourists were obviously affected by their recent travelling and had not recovered their best form. Individually, however, they were sound, and when more practised will fully extend New Zealand teams. The forwards were smart and the halves were very sound, with Cullen outstanding by virtue of accurate, clean fielding and hard-hitting defence. Lee, the captain, in the centre, was a good connecting pivot, but was a sick man for the greater part of the game and r.ould not be seen at his best. If nothing else, however, he proved his gaineness. Stening, Allen and Milner proved to be fast inside forwards, while Leggett executed some pretty sallies alone. The goalkeeper, Reid, did some sound defence. However, he was overshadowed by- his vis-a-vis, Smillie (Waikato), who has claims to All Black honours.

For Waikato, Forster, the wing, was outstanding. He played a brilliant attacking game and was unequalled on the day. Roughton and Spiers were two snappy inside forwards. The teams were:—

Australia. — Reid, Rothwell, Elliott, Irvine, Lee, Cullen, Milner, Allen, Stening, Legett, Tester. Waikato. — Smillie, Pountney, Ewan, Brough, Radcliffe, Storey, Foster, Lawry, Roughton, Spiers, Powdrill. Waikato’s three inside forwards made a lightening dash to the Australian circle, where Lawry, Roughton and Spiers huddled, for the latter to beat Reid with a fast ground shot from well out.—Waikato 1, Australia nil. Forster made great dashes along the outside and raised the enthusiasm of the crowd. Lawry skied his centre for Roughton to go within an ace of scoring. Tester, taking the ball in his own territory, beat the home halves completely and reached the verge of tho circle before he transferred to Allen. The centre-forward made no mistake with a high shot from well out.—Australia 1, Waikato 1.

When Australia pressed, Smillie cleared confidently, but Cullen repressed the attempts of the home forwards to assume the attack. Powdrill beat Elliott in a break-away down tho left, the visiters being forced to corner in the ensuing play. The half-time score was one all.

At the beginning of the second spell, Powdrill streaked along the sideline to put Waikato within striking distance, but Milner worked back to neutral territory. Lee saved temporarily, but Roughton connected with a loose ball, and before the defence realised the position he switched it past the goalkeeper.—Waikato 2, Australia 1. Waikato attacked, but Reid cleared. With six minutes to go play was fast and exciting as the Waikato van again took charge. The inside forwards handled in a sparkling rush which culminated in Spiers' putting tho net back with a push shot from close in.— Waikato 3, Australia 1.

Leggett got the ball in a handy position just before the bell and transferred to Allen, who reduced tho Australian deficit with a sharp shot from close in. Time was called with the score:— Waikato , .. 3 Australia .•«, . • •• 2