HOCKEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 15 June 1936, Page 9

HOCKEY

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW AT STOKE: UNITED WIN RESULTS AT A GLANCE Senior: Stoke 1, Federal 1. United 3, Wakatu 1. Waimai,. a bye. Junior: Wakatu 3, Federal 1. Stoke 8, Boys’ Brigade 0. Waimai 3, Tahuna 2. Women’s: Rewa 5, Kia Ora 1. Huia 4, Wakatu 0. Schoolboys: Stoke 8, Central B 0. Auckland Point 3, Hampden Street A 2 Central A 6, Hampden Street B 0. There were two surprises in the senior hockey championship on Saturday, when the leaders drew in a fast exhibition at Stoke, and United scored j their first win by defeating Wakatu by three goals to one at the Botanical Reserve. The games were played in splendid weather. These results put the senior championship in an even more interesting position. In the United-Wakatu game the scorers were: For United, Longworth (2), Smith; for Wakatu, Nightingale. DRAWN GAME BRIGHT PLAY AT STOKE Bright, fast hockey was played by Federal and Stoke on the ground of the Stoke Mental Hospital. Interest in the game was heightened by the fact that both teams were level in the senior championship, and Stoke were keen to avenge their previous defeat at the hands of Federal. Also they were playing on their own ground, which was fast and level, although slippery, and a number of players fell at critical moments. The weather was favourable for good hockey (indeed this has been so all the season) and the small crowd of spectators followed the game with keen interest. A fast match ended in a draw, one all, both goals being scored in the first half, and this represents fairly enough the merits of the teams on the day’s play. The low score was due largely to the sound defence by all the full-backs, for the goalkeepers were not tested very often. Stoke were dangerous early in the game and scored first. During the latter part of the half their efforts were largely wasted, and Federal equalised. The second spell was a real battle but neither side could score. The following were the teams: Stoke: Lusty; Geo. Frost, Heath; Cotton, Jacques, Shand; Corby, Weston, Gil Frost, V. Allport, B. Allport. Federal: Jensen; R. Frost, Hunter; Terrill, Gibbons, Garguilo; Beach, Sanders, Aydon, Best, Huggins. Stoke won the first bully, but Federal turned it to their advantage, although Sanders sent the ball too far forward and lost control of it. Hunter neatly sidestepped a forward and a half-back and varied play to the right wing where the ball was received by Beach who beat Geo. Frost and tried a shot which was blocked, and then, sent a pass to Aydon who was offside. Stoke were bustling Federal and their halves were keeping the ball well up to their forwards. A free hit in the Federal 25 put Stoke in a good position but was not made the most of. Obstruction by Garguilo practically cost his side a goal when the free hit was sent to the Stoke forwards in the circle, and Weston, standing handy, hooked the ball into the net. Stoke 1, Federal 0. A great save was made by Lusty, the Stoke ’keeper, from a high shot by Aydon, but Aydon had infringed. Geo. Frost neatly took the ball off Best when the latter was away on a fast . run and nipped a dangerous move in ! the bud. Federal were playing into their opponents’ hands when they gave away penalties in or near their own circle, end similarly when they themselves were in good scoring positions. A nice piece of work put Federal level with Stoke. Huggins sent a pass in-, field from the wing which was intercepted by a Stoke back but Best retrieved it and made a speedy run and ■ from well out in the circle put the i ball into the corner of the net. FedI eral 1, Stoke 1. When beginning a fast dash Aydon j received a hard blow on the leg, but after attention was able to play on. Stoke were keen in the circle but a quick move by R. Frost beat Jacques as he was about to shoot from a melee. Sanders sent the ball high past the Stoke full-back and Aydon followed up and shot from just inside the circle, but the ball went right over the net. Gil. Frost swung wildly at the ball as it passed across the circle when Stoke were pressing and the free hit for “sticks” gave Federal relief. Federal were the first to take the j offensive, in the second half, and a 1 centre by Sanders was just a little too strong for his inside men to pick up and the ball went harmlessly into goal. The fast ground helped the backs to make long clearances, and Shand made a lusty hit when Federal were awarded a short corner, and R. Frost also sent the ball big distances on occasions. There was an exciting moment when Weston outpaced the field, and Jensen, coming out to meet a long hit ahead, missed with his kick. Hunter, who had dashed back at full speed, just managed to get to the ball and clear to the side. The game was travelling fast, and sterling defence was put up by the full-backs, there being very few shots at goal. V. Allport was dangerous near the circle and as the result of a run by him Jensen was forced to concede a corner hit to save, and again a good shot by the same Stoke forward was turned aside by a defender in goal. Stoke kept Federal hemmed in for a while, but when Coi'by received a pass in the circle he found he was offside, and with the free hit Federal removed the centre of the attack. Only good backing up by R. Frost prevented a score when V. Allport after a fast run eluded the other backs and was making his i way towards the goal. Hard play followed, with neither side holding the advantage. In the final stages of the game frequent use was made of the touch-lines, and the game ended in a draw. The referees were Messrs J. W. Russell and C. Lipscombe.