BIG HOCKEY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 190, 16 July 1925, Page 9

BIG HOCKEY

AUSTRALIA v. MANAWATU. OPENING MATCH OF TOUR. TOURISTS’ ONE GOAL MARGIN. The honour of stnging the opening match of the New Zealand tour of the Australian hockey team fell to Palmerston North, when yesterday the elect of Manuwatu were put forward in opposition. Unfortunately, the elements did not prove in li&ppy accord with the occasion, the keen wintry wind and dampness underfoot doing much to mar the enjoyableness of the important fixture, not only from the point of view of the spectator, but also of the player. The attendance of . enthusiasts was as a direct result somewhat restricted, but nevertheless some 1100 occupied the grandstand and bank at the Showgrounds, they being rewarded by witnessing a splendid display of the popular winter game, the heaviness of'the ground as a result of the frequent rains experienced of late failing to curtail the speedy tactics of the visitors, who. nevertheless, took some time in finding their land legs, they having experienced a particularly rough crossing en route to New Zealand. I'll Manawatu the visitors found themselves opposed by a virile force, their very tenaciousness and strength in hitting being an obstacle which took some surmounting. Indeed, in the advanced stages of the game, it appeared that the laurels would pass into the keeping of the home representatives,, but the visitors after a great contest eventually won through. Although the margin was but a bare goal in the tourists’ favour, they showed every promise that, as the tour advances, they will develop into a most formidable combination which will test the strongest New Zealand associations to the fullest.

As curtain-raiser to the big event, the ladies of Ruahine and Manawatu tried conclusions and. as lias been witnessed on previous occasions, an interesting struggle resulted, the honours passing to the visitors by a margin of two goals.

THE TEAMS. A few minutes after the appointed hour, the Manawatu team filed out on to the area, being closely attended by Abel and his men. The opposing forces which lined out were as under: Australia (green and gold).—Goalkeeper, Clark; right full-back, Miles; loft full-back, Ritey: right half, Rothwell, centre half, Abel (captain) ; left half, L. G. Nettleton ; right wing, Gray; inside right, W. E. Nettleton ; centre forward, Seaman ; inside left, Grant; outside left, Kendal. Manawatu (green and white). —Goalkeeper, Nicliolls; right full-back, Burgess; left full-back, Mayo; right half, Wilton; centre half, L. Sinimonds: left half, Davey ; outside right, C. Kyle; inside right, Anderson; centre forward, F. Sinimonds; inside left, Lundy (captain) ; outside left. LloVd. Referees: Messrs Cliffe and Aitchison. From the opening bully Manawatu secured the, initial advantage, the attack being launched per medium of the left wing, a centre by Hoyd passing across the goal mouth, but the opportunity to turn it to account was not accepted and Abel cleared for his forwards to carry on. Burgess, however, stayed their passage, a hard drive sending the ball over the visitors’ line. The home team wore entering upon their task with vim and energy and were keeping the Australians on the defensive, over-hard hitting losing the advantage when within reasonable striking distance. Bully-off succeeded bully-off at the yellows’ twenty-five line in close succession, and from one sharp invasion Lloyd gave sticks when danger threatened, enabling the visitors to work beyond the half-way line. A similar infringement by Mayo let them work further into the home zone which paved the way to a, dash by Gray along the right wing, his shot at goal passing wide. The pressure was mtaintained for a brief period, but in a flash Anderson and Kyle had turned defence into attack, the opposing goalie coming out to save. Seaman and company replied in kind, Burgess sending them back with a brilliant speculator. Kyle carried play down into yellow territory, but danger was averted. Play returned, a long hit by Davey enabling Lloyd to race down into the corner, the visitors submitting to a penalty corner. A nicely-judged hit out by Kyle passed to Anderson, but the inner right delayed his shot and was robbed of the ball.

MANAWATU’S EARLY AD,VANTAGE.

The same player, however, made a better attempt directly following, hut Clark proved equal to the occasion. The hall, however, rebounded, and Lundy, who dashed in, slammed it into the net, thus securing the honour of obtaining the first goal of the match and giving to his side the advantage after 15 minutes’ hard battling. Manawatu 1, Australia 0. Stirred by the reverse, the Australians endeavoured to force a passage, but Burgess and Simmonds were proving very active and were repeatedly halting the movements before they could develop. It was from a brilliant save by the former which set the green line racing away, a breach by an opponent when the assault was nearing the circle, halting the movement, the referee failing to adopt the advantage rule, and from, the resulting free hit, the ball passed over the goal line. Play was sweeping to and fro in brilliant style, but the visitors were not working altogether in harmony and the hard hitting of the greens was robbing them of their hard-won territory. Seaman was prominent. in one rush by the yellows and the ball pasing out to Gray, the winger .found the net, but the ball was shot from without the circle. Directly following Seaman attempted a shot from the outer edge, hut was cramped for room. The pressure was, however, maintained and Abel essayed to find the net, Nicholls bringing off a brilliant save. The scene changed and Manawatu forced a corner, Anderson narrowly missing the net and sending the visitors’ mascot flying with his shot. VISITORS’ EQUALISE. The yellows launched an assault along the left wing, but Burgess was proving an insurmountable barrier, and a return to Simmonds enabled the half to feed his line. An entry was forced into the Australians’ circle, an inter-changc of short passes finding Kyle bring the attack to a termination by losing the hall over the goal line. Again the goalie was called upon to save a high shot and Lloyd, rushing in, attempted to hit in mid-air, 'a* free hit for sticks resulting. In a flash the yellow line burst down into home territory and Gray, bearing into the goal mouth, followed up a re-

bound off the goalie’s pads to put the ball through, making the scores: Australia 1, Manawatu 1. An immediate response was forthcoming from Mdnawatu, for they rushed to the opposite end and, although Clarke repulsed one attack, a second saw L. Simmorids net from the clearance and the interval was called with the advantage - resting with the home team : Manawatu 2, Australia 1. On resumption Manawatu again secured the initial advantage from the opening bully," but a breach nullified and Gray and Millar, the latter having replaced W. E. Nettleton, who had just prior to the first spell closing been compelled to retire, an old injury having been again re-opened, invaded, the greens submitting to a corner, but the advantage could not be pressed home. L. G. Nettleton was prominent in halting an assault by the home forwards, his stick work enabling him to free liis side when awkwardly placed and the forwards rushed dovvnficld. a reverse stick pass by Abel giving Grant an opportunity to have a shot, but the leather passed behind. From th« bully-off Lundv dashed away with Lloyd in support, but the pair overran the hall. Seaman, who was showing up brilliantly, burst away in one of his spectacular solo dashes, but Burgess stayed his progress. VISITORS WIN THROUGH. The yellows were, however, making great efforts to find an opening in the sturdy defence, but, although corners in close succession had to he conceded by the home team, the visitors promised to he held at bay. However, from one inelee in the circle a weak shot by Grant trickled past the goalie and Australia had evened the scores. Australia 2, Manawatu 2. Stirred by the success, the visitors commenced to put more vim and dash into their work and assault followed assault without success, the greens making periodical invasions which in turn were repulsed. A dash by Gray promised to hear fruit, hut the home line of defence was putting up a great fight. The visitors, however, returned persistently, and finally a nice centre from the left wing enabled Grant to add his second goal and give to his side the advantage and what was to prove the winning goal. Australia 3, Manawatu 2. In the closing stages the pace quickened, Australia endeavouring to retain and add to their hard -fought-for lead, while Manawatu strove hard to even up their deficiency. Play swept from end to end in electrical fashion. Seaman and Kendall being particularly prominent in the ranks of the visitors, their solo dashes spelling danger on more than one occasion. Hot assaults were launched by the greens, but strive as they might the deficiency could not be made up and full time found Australia retaining their goal advantage. Thus a fast and spectacular game ended with the honours resting with the visitors from overseas, the scores being: Australia 3, Manawatu 2.

THE CURTAIN-R AISER

RUAHINE 3, MANAWATU 1

it having been considered advisable to hold the oval in reserve for the big match, the ladies’ game between the representatives of the Ruahine and Manawatu Associations was staged crosswise on the outer area. The home team entered upon their task with a will and early gained the advantage, a centre from the right passing to Miss Ranson, who found the net with a close-up shot;. Gradually the visitors commenced ;o take a greater share of the play and, although an excellent opportunity was lost by a forward lifting the ball over the net, they quickly returned and from a melee in the circle the goalie was prevented from clearing, and Miss D. Foreman equalised. Half-time found the scores even. On resumption the visitors hurried to the attack ami from an invasion along the right wing Miss E. Redfern found the net with a simple shot. Although the greens threatened danger at intervals the complexion of the game had undergone a change, the visitors being assisted in the task of assuming the ascendancy by bad speculating on the part of the home backs. The home centre-half made great efforts to snatch the game out of the fire, but her passes were not made full use of by the front line. In the closing moments a nice centre enabled Miss D. Rasmussen to add another goal to her side’s cre'dit and full-time found the scores reading: Ruahine 3, Manawatu 1. The visitors fully deserved their victory, their combination being vastly superior to that of the home eleven, whose work in several instances was ragged and uncertain. Messrs Nasmith and Milne controlled. VISITORS ENTERTAINED. DEPARTURE FOR AUCKLAND. Following the match the visiting Australian team, together with their opponents of the afternoon and officials were entertained at dinner by the local association, the gathering numbering some 60 persons. Mr F. Cousins (president) occupied the chair and a toast list which embodied the following was honoured : “Australian Association and Australian team.” ( proposed by the chairman and responded to bv Mr Rotliwt'll (team manager) : “New Zealand Hockey Association,’’ proposed by Mr Aitchison and responded to by .Mr Downes (secretary N.Z. H.A.) ; “Kindred Sports.” proposed by Mr Mills and responded to- by Messrs Ongley and Davidson ; “Manawatu Team.” proposed by Mr Abel and responded to by Mi- Lundy; “The Ladies,” proposed by Mr Seaman and responded to by Mr Reeves; “The Press,” proposed by Mr Wilson. At an interval in the proceedings Messrs Chapman contributed a musical item. A very happy evening was brought to a conclusion at 9.30 o’clock, when the company repaired, to the railway station to bid farewell to the visitors, they proceeding direct to Auckland by the Limited express.

At a meeting of the management committee of the Manawatu HockeyAssociation Mr H.' McGregor (sole selector) advised that he had nominated the following players for inclusion in the New Zealand representative team to play Australia on the Basin Reserve on. August 8: —Goal, E. Guy (Wellington-United) ; inside left, D. Hood (Wakatu) ; right-wing, N. Jacobsen (Wellington-United) ; centre half, K. Perrin (Karori) ; left fullback, P. Spiers (Karori). Perrin is the former Manawatu representative.