HOCKEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 22 June 1936, Page 9

HOCKEY

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP WINS FOR STOKE AND UNITED RESULTS AT A GLANCE SeniorUnited 3, Waimai 1. Stoke 4, Wakatu 3. Junior— Stoke 0, Federal 0. Wakatu 3, United 1. Tahuna 6, Boys’ Brigade 1. Women’s— Huia 3, Rewa 0. Wakatu 7, Kia Ora 3. Schoolboys— Stoke 8, Hampden-st. B 3. Central A 6, Hampden-st. A 1. Auckland Point 9, Central B 0. Hockey championship games were continued in beautiful weather on Saturday, both senior games being played at the Botanical Reserve. The ground was still in good condition, although a little slippery. Stoke improved their position by defeating Wakatu. and United had their second win of the season.

UNITED WIN BOTH TEAMS IMPROVED Waimai played an improved- game, especially in the forwards, and in the early stages had the advantage over United. The latter now have a fairly strong team, with the addition of new blood, and a promising forward line, which with more play together should be a tough proposition. The teams lined up as follows: — United: Louis; Hill, Bird; Wilson, Toms, Russell; Shand, Forster, Longworth, Smith, Patterson. Waimai: Delaney; Hobbs, Canning, Anstis, Lightfoot, Jury; Stewart, Simpson, Amos, Cox, Holland. Waimai showing initiative early in the game might have scored when Holland centred had an inside forward not been offside. Waimai continued to do ost of the attacking. A United attack in which a score was narrowly missed, was changed quickly to a Waimai offensive, which swept right down the field, ending in Amos scoring, and Waimai surprisingly were in the lead. Waimai 1, United 0. Waimai were aggressive with a nice run by Stewart, but several of their movements were spoilt by overhitting. A pretty United rush in which the last pass went to Shand, ended in the shot hitting the side of the net. Another shot by Shand went right past the goalmouth. United’s tactics in a short corner hit did not beat the defence, but Forster, receiving soon after, dribbled through and beat the ’keeper with a fairly easy shot. United 1, Waimai 1. Interceptions by the halves broke up attacks by both sides. The ball was too often placed right into the hands of the opposing halves when movements looked promising. United drew ahead after scrappy play when Forster scored his second goal. United 2, Waimai 1. In the second half Waimai’s teamwork did not make the most of an early opening by Amos. With another good run Amos carried play into the circle, where the goalie handed out a high shot, but knocked on, and a penalty bully was taken between Amos and Louis, which the latter won. Some splendid chances were lost by Waimai, as when Holland gave “sticks” when taking a clear shot at goal. United added to their score when Longworth netted. United 3, Waimai 1.

Amos was unfortunate when he narrowly missed a goal after taking the ball through on his own. The remainder of the play was scrappy and uninteresting. Messrs R. Smith and C. Lipscombe refereed.

ONE GOAL MARGIN STOKE DEFEAT WAKATU The second game at the Reserve was ragged but brightened towards the end.' The standard of the game may have been affected by neither team being at full strength, there being several juniors playing. The reorganisation affected the teamwork. The teams were as follows: — Stoke: Lusty; Heath, Geo. Frost; Shand, Jacques, Cotton; Walker, V. Allport, Corby, B. Allport, and J. Corby. Wakatu: Burn; Parker, Highet; Savage, McConchie, Hill; Thomas, Burns, Nightingale, H. Russell, and R. Russell. Stoke opened the scoring from a scramble when V. Allport beat the goalie. Stoke 1, Wakatu 0. After a great speculation by Burn Stoke carried on and a clean angle shot by V. Allport found the net. Stoke 2, Wakatu 0. With an early two-goals lead Stoke looked to have the game in their hands. When Burns made a fast breakaway, Lusty effected a good save and when play was taken to the other end Burn, the Wakatu goalie, also cleared well. The Wakatu forwards were not using enough guile in trying to pass the Stoke full-backs, who easily intercepted passing movements. A Stoke player was injured when he was struck by the ball and received attention from the St. John Ambulance attendant. H. Russell gained the circle with a dribbling run, but was beaten for possession just as he was about to shoot. The first spell ended soon after. Stoke had had the best of the game, but neither side was brilliant in its teamwork. Stoke scored early in the second half, when after a right wing attack the ball was sent across to B. Allport, who netted. Stoke 3, Wakatu 0. Wakatu’s account was opened by a half-back, McConchie dribbling through from the 25 and taking the ball right into the net. Wakatu 1, Stoke 3. . The game became more willing and from a corner hit Nightingale scored with a nice shot. Wakatu 2, Stoke 3. The game was changing quickly, and Stoke carried play into the Wakatu circle, where the defence failed to stem the rush and B. Allport scored. Stoke 4, Wakatu 2. The play had brightened and both sides were putting more dash into their play. The Stoke forwards ran through the Wakatu defence, but were held up by the goalie until some other backs fell back, and a free hit saved Wakatu. Stoke continued to hold the supremacy, but Thomas made a fine run past Frost and put in a beautiful centre, which Nightingale and H. Russell both failed to connect with. Another rush went astray, but the attack was kept up and H. Russell scored. Wakatu 3, Stoke 4. Time sounded almost immediately. The referees were Messrs J. W. Russell and R. Smith.