DRAW IN HOCKEY TEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19383, 19 July 1926, Page 12

DRAW IN HOCKEY TEST.

INDIAN ARMY V. NEW ZEALAND. EACH SIDE SCORES ONCE. SPECTACULAR EXHIBITION. END OF VISITORS' TOUR. A sensational goal almost on the call of time enabled New Zealand to draw with the Indian Army hockey team in the third test, played at Eden Park on Saturday. Each side scored only once. As each had gamed a win in the previous tests, tho draw in tho final encounter leaves honours even. There was an attendance of 18,000, drawn by the double-attraction of the hockey test and the Auckland v. Maori Rugby match. The game was a magnificent struggle throughout and will live long in the memory of all who saw it as one of the most thrilling in the history of New Zealand hockey. The contest was characterised by splendid play by both teams. The Indians revealed great strategy in offensive movements, the forwards displaying almost uncanny ball control and anticipation in passing. The New Zealanders relied mainly on hard hitting and fast following up, tactics that in tho end enabled them to pull the game out of the fire and secure a last-minute draw.

The game proved that Eden Park is not an ideal ground on which to play hockoy and the standard of play undoubtedly suffered. An Exciting Moment. Half way through the first spell the Indians secured a goal after a brilliant attacking movement, and they held the lead until within two minutes of time. There was tremendous excitement among the spectators when New Zealand in the dying minutes of tho game swept down on the Indian Army goal, and from a corner hit Bell beat the defence with a great shot. Dhian Chand, the visitors' brilliant centreforward, by scoring in this game, brough his total goals for the tour up to 80. After the game a pleasing ceremony was performed by Mr. H. S. J. Goodman, president of tho New Zealand Hockey Association. He presented to the Indian Army team a handsome silver cup, which was donated by Mr. and Mrs. V. O. Wall through the Hawke's Bay Hockey Association. The cup is for annual competition between the regiments in India. Dhian Chanel received the cup on behalf of the team. Three cheers were then called for the Indian Army team, and the appeal was readily responded to by the great crowd on the stand and ground. New Zealand Captain Injured. New Zealand won the toss and played with the sun at their backs. The Indians were first to show out, Dhian Chand passing to Captain Belchamber, who was stopped at the twenty-five by Hore. New Zealand replied with a strong rush on the left flank, Perrin hitting to Burton, who took the ball into the visitors' quarters. New Zealand gained a long corner, which was well cleared by Kishna. A beautiful concerted attack by the Indians followed, Dhian Chand. beating two men before transferring to Captain Cox, who sent on to Susainathan, the latter being stopped on the circle's edge by Hore. Further rushes by the Indians gave them the advantage, and New Zealand were lucky to keep their goal clear. Two corner-hits were taken, but Fletcher proved safe and kicked clear. The New Zealanders then took a hand, and hard accurate hitting by the backs enabled the forwards, to make spirited attacks, Burton on the left fiank being prominent in seveiral good dashes. An injury to Perrin, the New Zealand captain, caused a stoppagu and Cole took his place. Indians Seek Opening. A great New Zealand attack, initiated by. Mahoney, saw exciting play in the circle, Ghulan Ali earning applause for two great saves. The Indians made great efforts to penetrate the New Zealand defence, but the home team proved equal to the occasion, Cole and Spiers piaying particularly well. Captain Cowan, with a judiciouslyplaced pass, gave Captain Cox a fine opening, which he turned to advantage. A quick cross-pass to Susainathan enabled the left wing to race into the circle, but Spiers cleared by hitting out at half-way. Hookham was prominent in a fast dash on the right, Dhian Singh checking. A New Zealand offensive started by Burton reached the circle, Kishna saving. A spectacular run by Dhian Chand brought the crowd to its feet, but hi 3 shot went outside. Dhian Chand and Captain Belchamber were associated a fine concerted rush from midfield and New Zealand suffered two penalty corners. These were successfully cleared amid enthusiasm. Visitors Score a Goal. India continued to press and Sangara Singh made a great run. He hit aoross to Captain Belchamber, who passed to Susainathan. The left wing made the most of the opening and raced through to the circle, where he drew Fletcher and then centred. Dhian Chand, with a great effort, flicked the ball into the goal.—lndian Army, 1; New Zealand, 0. India returned to the attack, Singara Singh taking into the circle and sending it! a great shot which Fletcher brilliantly stopped. Bell and E. Watts gained <;round and the Indians defended stoutly '"in close play. Jagindar Singh showed great cleverness in stopping Hook ham, and from his pass Dhian Chand ran through, being stopped by Soper. A fine concerted rush by New Zealand resulted in a corner fvhich, however, was fruitless India replied with a great connter-at tack and gained a corner. Dhian Chand stopped the ball for Captain Cos, who spoiled an excellent scoring opportunitj by giving "sticks." New Zealand rallied and play was in midfield when the half wime bell sounded with tho scores:—lndian Army, 1; New Zealand, 0. New Zealand on Defence. Upon resuming the Indians immediately attacked, beautiful combination and bailcontrol being revealed by tho forwards. A spirited rush by New' Zealand looked promising, but the ball crossed the goallina. India, with beautiful short passes, ran through and Dhian Chand made a groat effort to score. Burton and Bell were seen in clever play and Ghulan Ali cleared by kicking out. New Zealand came back to the atiack and Burton tried to goal with an .lerial stroke. A great Indian attack ■was held up by Spiers svho was playing a grand defensive game. The strategic attacks of the Indians f were responsible for placing Now Zealand strictly on the defensive. India gained a corner, and Fletcher, with a brilliant save, stopped a hard shot from Dhian Chand. A sortie by Neiv Zealand resulted in two corner bits which were well cleared by pinan Singh.

A breakaway by E. Watts, who was supported by Bell and C Watts, took play to tho visitors' end. Dhian Chand proved elusive in a tricky run and h<* zig-zagged his way through to mid-field where he passed to Susainathan, who was held up by Cole. The closing stages of the game were marked by a great New Zealand attack initiated by Mahoney. 0. Watts and E. Watts ran through and were obstructed by Dhian Singh on the edge of the circle. A penalty corner was gained. Burton took the hit and E. Watts stopped the ball for Bell, who goaled with a brilliant shot amid great enthusiasm. New Zealand attacked again and excit ing play followed in the visitors' twentyfive, but time was called without further score, a splendidly-contested game ending in a draw:—lndian Army, 1; New Zealand, 1. Mr. H. Throp (Canterbury) and Mr. L, H. Norton (Auckland) refereed. THE INDIANS' RECORD. TOTAL OF 192 GOALS TO 24. The record of the Indian Army teams' New Zealand tour is as follows: — May 13.—Beat Waipa, 11—0. May 15. —Beat Waikato, 7—o. May 18. —Beat Sub-associations, B—o. May 20. —Beat Taranaki, 7—2. May 22.—Beat Hawke's Bay, 13—2. May 26.—Beat Dannevirke, 20—0. May 29.—Beat Wanganui, 12—L June 3.—Beat Wellington. B—3. June s.—Beat Nelson, 9—o. June B.—Beat Buller, 9—o. June 12.—Beat Canterbury, 2—l. Juno 17.—Beat Geraldine, 15—0. June 19.—Beat Otago, 11—0. June 22.—Beat South Canterbury, 14—2. June 26.—Beat New Zealand (first test), 5—2. June 30.—Drew with Manawatu, 4 all. July 3.—Beat Auckland, 11—1. July 8. —Beat Whangarei, 9—l. July 10.—Lost to New Zealand (second 5—4. July 14.—Boat Franklin, 13—0. July 17.—Drew with New Zealand (third test), 1 all. ' Matches played 21; won, 18; lost, 1; drawn, 1. The Indian Army team has scored 192 goals, while only 24 have been scored against them. The record of goals scored by the various players is as follows: —Dhian Chand, 80; Captain Belchamber, 48; Captain Cox, 38; Susainthan, 10; La Singh, 10; Sangara Singh, 2; Linga Singh, 2? Hal Singh, 1; Captain Alexander, 1.