TEST MATCH IN AUSTRALIA

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 13 August 1923, Page 5

TEST MATCH IN AUSTRALIA

VICTORY FOR NEW ZEALAND.

3Y CABLE—PEESS ASSOCIATION—COPYfiIGHI

SYDNEY, Aug. 11

New Zealand defeated Australia by 2 goals to 1 iii the only hockey test of the tour, alter a closely contested fight with fluctuating fortunes till the fulltime whistle. The match was staged as an early game to the Chinese "Soccer" match, and was played in the presence of thirty thousand people, the bulk of whom attended out of curiosity to see* the Chinese display. The first half was evenly balanced, and was marked more by individualism than combined movements. Watts opened for the visitors, and Saunders equalised. Australia attacked after the re-starf, Craig and May forcing their way down the left boundary. .Ferrin, who was always alert,, smartly extricated his side, and Speight, with a well-judged shot,- transferred to the opposing goal area.-™ The Australians again got busy, Besley, after a fine save, initiating a combined movement, which, ended in Snooks getting mixed on the ground midst several swinging clubs in an effort to save a goal. Midst the bustling one of the Australian forwards banged the ball into the net, but the referee disallowed the goal. Play travelled up and down the field rapidly, and after Australia were again nearly in,- Alexander sprint, ed down the right wing and centred. Nearing the Jtiet the ball returned to Alexander, who put New Zealand ahead. From then till the end New: Zealand maintained the advantage, playing immeasurably superior hockey-; to Wednesday's display against a side greatly strengthened by the inclusion of Victorian representatives.