SATURDAY’S HOCKEY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 220, 15 August 1927, Page 3

SATURDAY’S HOCKEY

VISIT OF WELLINGTON ’VARSITY

BENNETT CUP MATCH,

Rather an innovation so far as Manawatu hockey is concerned was staged by tho local association last Saturday when they invited tho team that had the bye in Wellington. ’Varsity, to play a teani selected from tho H. 5.0.8. Club strengthened by several other players. To avoid contusion with the visitor’s colours of olive green the home side wore white jerseys. Heavy rain during the week had rendered both grounds very soft and tho bright sunshine of the later afternoon did not dry it to any appreciable extent so that the game was played on the outer area. The extreme softness of the ground was not conducive to fast open hockey and the/fgame was not as bright as had been anticipated. Had the ground been drier the visitors’ superior combination between halves and forwards would probably have given them a win, but as it was they could only draw —one all. Tho ladies’ sealed handicap competition was postponed owing to the weather, but the High School girls fulfilled their engagement with Dannevirke High School for the Bennett Cup. They won by the comfortable margin of five goals to one. OLD BOYS AND ’VARSITY DRAW.

Old Boys opened strongly and Turner and Duley gained considerable ground for them, but ’Varsity, once they settled down began to press. Pratt, however, was fairly safe and the visitors were unable to score, though some of their combined movements were good. Burgess led the home side back, but Hoare was caught with the ball and the greens returned to the attack. A hot ’Varsity onslaught was foiled by excellent work on the part of Hansen and Sutton. Hoare was instrumental in relieving the pressure and Old Boys worked up further than they had done before, ’Varsity conceding a corner. The greens returned to the attack, but excellent work by McLachlan in goal kept them from scoring and the home side managed to work free. The visiting forwards, however, despite the heavy ground were combining well and they were soou back again. Turner put in a good run down the side-line and centred neatly, but Anderson was unable to open their scoring account and ’Varsity again assumed the offensive. Repeated attacks by the ’Varsity forwards were rendered fruitless, partly by the stickiness of the circle and partly by the good work of McLachlan, who, considering that it- was his first appearance of the season, was plaving a splendid game. Towards the end of the first spell the home' eleven began to take a larger share of the attack but, like their opponents, were unable to find the net, the spell ending without any score. Anderson obtained the ball at the opening of the second half and passed to Turner who centred in a handy position, but Dalglish cleared and Varsity attacked. Turner again brought the home combination back, but Anderson over ran his pass and as no halves were following Up the opportunity was lost and the greens resumed the offensive. Despite their continuous attacks they seemed fated not to score as the Manawatu players’ defence was very sound. At length, however, Paul put in a long shot from the extreme right wing which McLachlan only partially stopped, it trickling into the net to give the greens a lead. Old Boys obtained a chance to equalise from a penalty, but Anderson’s shot went wide. The home side then began to make strenuous efforts to draw level and at - last a nice run by Pratt was crowned with success and the teams were all square. Turner was several times prominent, but the local team were unable»to draw ahead and the game ended Old Boys I—’Varsity 1. Messrs W. Scott and E. R. Chapman refereed. • HIGH SCHOOL’S EASY WIN. .

Girls’ High School, who have of late developed a strong combination, had little difficulty in disposing of the Dannevirke High School girls after an exhibition, considering the state of the ground, of excellent hockey, by five goals to one. The local forwards dominated the game from whistle to whistle, Miss L. Gerrand, their centre, being the outstanding player on the ground. Miss Gerrand scored twice and Miss M. McColl three times for the winners. In their match earlier this season, Dannevirke were successful by exactly the same margin so that the local school will hold the Bennett Cup for six months and their opponents for the remainder of the year. High School have done particularly well in the last three weeks for not only have they beaten Dannevirke, but they had a walk-over at the expense of Wanganui College while in the Wednesday club competition they have beaten both the leading teams, H.S.O.G. and W.E.O.G. NORDEN CUP CHALLENGE. MASTERTON, Aug. 13. In a challenge match for the Nordern Cup, Wairarapa (holders) drew with Taranaki men’s hockey representatives, four all, and thus retained the trophy. The match was played at the Masterton Park on a heavy ground. • NEW ZEALAND TEAM. • NEW SOUTH WALES DEFEATED.

SYDNEY, Aug. 14.

On Saturdav the New Zealand hockey team played their first match at Sydney in fine, bright weather. Three thousand people were present, and they displayed great enthusiasm. New Zealand won the toss and played against a slight breeze with the sun at their backs. The players took little time to settle down, but the New Zealanders’ hitting was on the erratic side. New South Wales, combining well, kept the New Zealanders on the defensive, Nettleton and Abel giving an excellent exhibition. Nettleton drew first blood, netting cleverly. Then a few minutes before half-time Watts scored twice in quick succession, and the end of the spell saw the board reading two goals to one in favour of New Zealand.

In the second spell the play on both sides improved considerably. Nettleton at an early stage secured a goal for New South Wales; then Edson and Seccombe scored, putting New Zealand two goals ahead. In the last ten minutes play was very exciting, New South Wales launching attack after attack only to find the New Zealand defence unbreakable. The game ended: New Zealand four, New South Wales two. —Press Association.