HOCKEY NOTES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7269, 23 September 1933, Page 10

HOCKEY NOTES

By “Rep” It is just a week ago since Manawatu re-established themselves in the hockey world extending Auckland in the Shield match. Although Auckland'did most of the attacking, caused by the halves and full backs standing too far back, yet we were unlucky in not winning. In the second spell Manawatu had the Aucland team swept off their feet and had cither of the goals that Montcitk. or Hoarc missed, gone in then it seemed as if Auckland would have probcrly been broken. However it was not to be, and our team came off! the field, knowing that they had given Auckland the fright of their lives, and knowing that they were the only team that has broken Auckland's defence.

Regaining major status last year after conpicuous success as a minor association, Manawatu looked lor higher honours this year. It was no hurried decision, as Manawatu announc ed their intention of challenging for the shield last season, therefore they had plenty of time to prepare for the conflct. However, after so much patience and preparation tncy went north. They found formidiblo opponents, and were quite convinced that the victors were a better combination, yet they were proud of their attempt and the wonderful display of their own custodian.

The weather conditions were excellent, but the ground was not conducive to a first-class display of scientific hockey, being inclined to bump, and, through this defect, many skilful movements broke down with the result that play suffered. It. Hoare lost a goal through the ball bumping just as he was going to shoot. If the spectators did not witness a really finished game of hockey they had giiwpscs of well conceived movements, with plenty of thrills and incidents.

The game opened sensationally, Auckland going straight through into the circle with one of those attacks characteristic of their play. It was real awak cning for Manawatu, and they put up a game fight against the frequent leftflank sorties of Auckland. At this stage of the game the Auckland right was noglected, therefor the defence concentrated on the other side. Philpott was unable to respond through the activities of Eckersloy. The latter was well supported by Pratt, while anything that developed further found strong opposition through covering by Hansen.

In opening up play the Auckland van found difficulty in controlling tho ball. Skiful movements frequently broke down and the visitors’ defence oiien cleared without interrupting. Auckland then had a taste of tho attacking qualities of the visitors, who were rather unfortunate, through their hitting being straight, and on other occasions too square. That the visitors were capable of making a definite impression upon the Auckland defence was apparent in the second spell. For a time their whirlwind onslaughts absolutely overcame the Auskland backs and twice tho scores were evened. At this stage there was often a gap in the centre of the Auckland half line, and on the left turthor back, Auckland recovered and revealed a real taste of their fighting qualities in regaining the ascendency. There were several features during the keen struggle, and not the least interesting was the goal-keeping of the Manawatu custodian frequent corners to Auckland and the wonderful combination of the Watts brothers in converting five of those corners into goals, in fact, it was tho only sourco of scoring on the part of Auckland. It is not often that so many corners »re obtained in shield matches, but the reason of these penalties is not hard to find, and furnishes a problem for the Manawatu backs to overcome. As a custodian, Hart, for Manawtu, gave a wonderful display in stopping shots from all directions. In occomplishing this part of goal-keeping Manawatu made no adequate provision for getting the ball out of tho circle, and on this account corners frequently resulted from tho stoppages. Of tho full-backs, Pratt was the safer of tho pair, and hit hard in clearing, but there was a tendency towards too much alignment in their play, while they were inclined to Tcfrain from moving with tho advance.

In tho middle division Hansen worked hard, and at times bottled up the central attacks of Auckland. The play of tho others was not so convincing. Amongst the forwards R. Hoare showed excellent form, making and heading exhibition on the right wing. D. Hoare and Monteith found it difficult to escape the offside rule owing to one Auckland fullback jfiaying well up.

It must be conceded that Manawatu played much better than was ontieipatcd. They had dash and energy in plenty, but lacked the skilful stick work and artistry of Auskland. Considering the Auckland side as a whole, it cannot be said that they lived up to their great reputation, either back or forward. Still it must be remembered the wore often oftered strong resistance Tho best of the Auckland lino were C, Watts, E. Watts and Crawley. It is seldom that tho eentre-foward has had fewer opportunities at goal. Beyond a iapse for a while Robertson was seen to most advantage in the half-line. Broun was steady throughout. The full-backs were patchy, Williams being the more reliable.