Hockey

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6621, 6 August 1931, Page 5

Hockey

MANAWATU ‘AGAIN VICTORIOUS IN A NORDERN CUP GAME WANGANUI DEFEATED 3—o Another challenge for the • Nordcrn Cup, which has becu held by tho Manawatu men’s representative hockey team against several strong sides, was again successfully defended yesterday against, Wanganui, tho Palmerston North players winning a mediocro match by three goals to nil. There was a good attendance of the public, but the sodden state of the ground militated against fast stick work, although tho weather conditions were ideal for tho occasion. The teams lined out as follows: — Wanganui (blue): N. Hughes, G. Adams, A. Hickman, L. Wilson, W. Banuin, B. Mclntyre, S. Hughes, A. le Brun (captain), G. Connell, D. Tizard, R. Hughes. Manawatu (green): Ward, W. Sutton, T. Pratt, W. Lundy, J. Sutton, N. Hansen (captain), Findlay, D. Hoare, li. Hoare, J. Morris, Y. Turner. The Game

Manawatu faced the sun at the outset, R. Hoare getting away for the homo side from the bully-off. After sonic wild hitting, Mclntyre settled down to hard work. Hughes mis-hit when trying to centre for tho blues. Ward defended the green citadel, and a moment later D. Hoare, at inside right, changed the venue. The first exciting piece of play occurred when Hansen and Hoare combined in mid-field to make an attempt, only to find Adams, a Wanganui full back, clearing magnificently. The blues came away fast, lod by Connell, but W. Sutton put in some hard defensive work and found touch when the pressure was at its peak. Hughes blocked Findlay from centring, and the leather went into touch when the Wanganui players’ chances looked bright. The game to this stage was ragged, the visitors appearing to bo disorganised, while the Manawatu men had not reached their usual standard of form. This, however, changed when, out of a melee at the goal mouth, Hansen, by a solo effort, opened the greens’ account by beating N. Hughes with a tricky shot. Manawatu I, Wanganui 0. On resumption Rannin, for the blues, sent to S. Hughes, who centred for Connell to try a shot at goal, but W. Sutton came across to save once again when tho homo team was in danger. A moment later a free hit by Tizard for Wanganui to N. Hughes was stopped by the same Manawatu player, only to find lo Brun testing Ward, in goal, without success. A penalty corner did not assist the blues, the ball eventually going to Turner, on the wing, who resumed the Manawatu attack. Little of interest occurred until S. Hughes, from a corner, hit to le Brun, to Tizard, who hit high. R. Hughes, close in, stopped the leather and narrowly missed lodging his shot in the Manawatu net,. Pratt was doing some excellent work for the homo side, while R. Hoare, in tho forwards, was conspicuous. For Wanganui, Adams, at right full back, was outstanding, whilo Tizard, lo Brun and Connell were an asset in the forwards. Half time was called with no alteration in tho tally. The Second Spell

After the lemons Wanganui set out (o make the pace, Pratt clearing when the attack appeared dangerous. J. Sutton initiated the first offensive by the greens, R. Hoare carrying tho attack to the goal mouth, where tho opposing custodian was firm. Then, from a melee, tho ball was almost in the blues ' net, R. Hoare being responsible for this advantage. Again, D. Hoaro was away in a solo effort and shot hard, for N. Hughes to effect a clearance, but the ball returned to play and, after considerable fighting, Lundy found the corner of the net. Manawatu 2, Wanganui 0. It was only a moment later when the home side scored its third point. Lundy, at inside left,, secured possession and passed to the insido right, D. Hoare, who came in fast to beat the goalie all the way. Manawatu 3, Wanganui 0.

Several alterations had been effected in the teams, le Bran being changed from inside right to Tight full back, with Adams going to left half and Mein tyro to inside right. For the greens, Lundy had replaced J. Morris at inside left from the half position. This appeared to have brightened the concerted efforts to a considerable degree. The green forwards combined for V. Turner to shoot, but, the ball being outside the circle, the shot was disallowed, despite the fact that it found the net. The blues made desperate rallies in the last stages, but even although they penetrated the greens’ circle, they found Ward, the custodian, and his last line of defonce secure. Tho visitors’ standard of play was not equal to that of the Palmerstonians and the game, although interesting, was not nearly so exciting as tho previous cup challenge, when Manawatu drew with Danncvirkc in the Concluding stages of a fast exhibition. Messrs. A. E. Blackbourn (Palmerston North) and G. Howartson (Wanganui) were the referees controlling the fixture. After the game the visiting team was entertained at dinner at the Broadway Lounge. LADIES’ HOCKEY Playing in a mid-week ladies’ competition gamo at the recreation ground yesterday, the Rongotca representatives defeated Collinson and Cunninghame’s team by three goals to nil. The scorers for the winners were F. Smith (2) and L. Davies.