HOCKEY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 231, 12 September 1934, Page 8

HOCKEY

Australia v. Hawke’s Bay

TO-MORROW’S BIG MATCH

All roads will lead to Nelson Park, Hastings, to-morrow, where, Australia’s hockey representatives will cross sticks with Ha» kc’s Bay in the first appearance of an overseas hockey team in Hastings. A great exhibition of hockey should eventuate, as the Australians are really clever exponents ot the crooked sticK game, and the standard has so improved throng! out the Bay in the past lew years that many local enthusiasts are quite prepared to see our lads win. Can tlies do it? It's going to be a keen and exciting struggle. '» The Hawke s Day eleven, containing as it does eight players from the Hastings team which has so ably withstood all challenges for the Nordon Cup this season, will not want for combination, and as they have undergone a strenuous course of training will take the tieid a fit combination.

Throughout their iNew Zealand tour the Australians have always provided a clean, open amt exciting game, with clever stick work as tiieir forte. Naturally they prefer a hard, even playing surface, but have so adapted themselves to New Zealand conditions that in the Test at Dunedin last Saturday they held New Zealand to a t>3 score. The match was played before an attendance of oUtlt), and heavy rain tell throughout the game.

The Australian team will' not be finalised till to-morrow, but the Hawke’s Bay Hockey Association is endeavouring to get the Australians to Held their Test eleven.

Nelson Park has undergone a special preparation, and despite the elements should be in great order and provide a good, even playing surface. Everything promises well for a great game, and, as the Hawke's Bay Association has involved itself in considerable expense to get the Australians there, they are looking forward to receiving the wholehearted support of the public. Preceding the big game, which starts at 2.30 p.m. sharp, will be a curtainraiser, Hastings v. Napier, at 1.15 p.m., and at half-time of the AustraliaHawke’s Bay match, the Australian manager, Mr W. Rothwell, will present the Garland Cup to the High School team. Programmes will be distributed free of charge. AUSTRALIAN TEAM. The Australian team will be selected from the following:— Goalkeepers: N. Watson L. Reid Backs; E. Rothwell J. Elliott K. LeLievre Halves: A. J. Irvine A. Lee (capt. E. Cullen A. HayterForwards: G. Milner J. Allen M. Stenning C. Leggett K. Penman G. Minto P. Tester Messrs G. Milner (whose son is a player), president of West Australian Hockey Association, and Harold Flockard, member of the management committee of Australian Hockey Association, are travelling with the team as members of the official party.