PAEROA HOCKEY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4313, 4 August 1950, Page 5

PAEROA HOCKEY

A FAST AND OPEN GAME OTOROHANGA DEFEATED A FIRST CLASS EXHIBITION i The Paeroa men’s hockey team defeated a visiting team from Otorohanga on the Paeroa domain last week-end by 4 goals to 3. The game was fast and open and was one of the best 0 games seen at Paeroa this season. There was an interesting contrast of styles, with the visitors keeping the ball under close control with short passes, while Pae- , roa favoured' a hard hitting game. Otorohanga impressed as having a better combination but Paeroa was fortunate in having a forward line every member of which was dangerous in the style adopted. Early in the game Otorohanga scored twogood,-goals from. penalty corners, demonstrating how dangerous a perialty cosher can be if taken properly. Paerfia has ndt yet perfected its attack from this direction and must learn to get the hit in faster. Play then settled l down with both teams attacking strongly in turn. This season Paeroa has been fortunate in having two fullbacks of the calibre of Kemp and they were in form again; Few Otoronanga attacks reached the stage of for goal although occasions when the Paeroa defence was fully extended!. ; /Shortly before half-time a clearing 1 hit went to Beale at centre-forward for Paeroa, waiting on the haU-way line. Beale took ’the ball straight up field "in a solo rush, past the Otorohanga fullbacks and beat the goalie with a good shot. The halftime score was 2—/' Early in the isqsW spell Beale again went up field with a fine solo effort, but this time'the Otorohanga goalie kicked clear. Baker, following in fast, snapped up/the kick , and shot from an angle which gave . the goalie little chance, making the scores even. • Both sets of, forwards were attacking .strongly but the defence of the Paeroa backh and the Otorohanga goalie was very sound. Davies, in goal for Paeroa, saw little of. the bell but made some good saves. On the attack again Paeroa took the ball info the visitors’ circle where the goalie had a hectic few minutes and made some excellent saves. From a clearing hit by a defender Beale dived and smashed a terrific hit from a sharp, angle. The ball rebounded from the back of the goal before the keeper could even turn to meet the new attack. Shortly after this Baker tore away in a solo ran.which seemed to catch the defence napping. He completely beat the visiting fullbacks and reached the circle unopposed. The shot beat the goalie and put Paeroa two up. i

Otorohanga was not dismayed and maintained the short passing game. The team made a number of attacks which tested all the Paeroa defence to the utmost. Every Otorohanga attack was supported by the whole forward line and was well backed,up by the halves. One penetrated the circle and a goalcame from a good smart hit. The pace was, maintained to the end but there was no further score. The domain was in tip top order and the weather perfect. The games, both men’s and ladies’, were played in splendid spirit and produced first-class hockey enjoyed by players and spec* tutors alike. *