HOCKEY TEST MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20331, 12 August 1929, Page 12

HOCKEY TEST MATCH.

WIN FOR NEW ZEALAND.

A SMALL SCORNG GAME. MANNING CUP RETAINED. AUSTRALIANS' FINAL GAME. Before a crowd of 5000 at Eden Park on Saturday, tho New Zealand representative hockey team defeated tho Australian touring eleven in a test match by two goals to none, New Zealand thus retaining the Manning Cup, which has been held in the Dominion ever since its presentation in 1923.

Tho ground in many parts was a quagmire and a good exhibition of the game was impossible, yet the match was by no means devoid of interest. Tho Australians combined the better and wero resourceful in defence. Both teams were obliged to rely far 111010 on hard hitting than on organised tactics. Tho match was played as a curtain-raiser to ■ the Auckland-Thames representative Rugby fixture and an account of the game was broadcast by Mr. A. Playle, chairman of tho Auckland Hockey Association. Tho teams woro as follows:

AUSTRALIA. Goal.—C. O'Connor. Fullbacks. —N. Ferguson, W. Todkill, Halves.—J. Elliott, W. Wanlcss, C. M.

Cormie. Forwards. —S. II Stephens, A. V. Ptil ley, W. Grant, W. E. Ncttleton, 11. Connie (captain). NEW ZEALAND. Goal.—J. Fletcher. Fullbacks.— L. Spiers, P. Spiers. Halves.—A. Mahonoy, E. McLeod (cap tain), G. S. Cole. Forwards.—D. Reid, A. J. Robb, E, Watts, C. Watts, R. A. Phillpotts.

New Zealand won the first bully, but Ferguson look the game back. Ncttleton robbed L. Spiers and centred, giving H. Cormio a shot that wont right across. New Zealand returned by means of hard hitting, and when Reid centred, C. Watts had a shot that went across from a narrow angle. H. Cormio was prominent in taking play hack to the home end of tho field, cleverly beating several opponents. New Zealand was quickly again attacking, and O'Connor kicked out when Reid centred. •

Australia broke away from a corner, but tho New Zealand forwards kept play for a time out of their own half. Vigorous exchanges took placo in midfield. Ncttleton and Cormio combined in a good run until L. Spiers pulled them up. Wanless had a shot at goal that went wide. From the bully at the 25, Phillpotts broke away and made a bright run down the lino, 'centring to the Watts brothers. Tho mud and Ferguson beat them, however. E. Watts started Phillpotts off again and lie sent back a timely centro that went across to Reid, but Todkill intervened and saved. Lively Play Witnessed. Now Zealand continued to make most of tho play and- several promising rushes wore checked only in tho nick of time by the visiting fullbacks. A good effort by tho homo forwards ended in Robb shooting just past the post.

It was the visitors' turn next to threaten clanger and Stephens got through to the circle from a movement started by Ferguson. The New Zealand defence was sound. Australia was cornered and a hot shot by E. Watts was well stopped by O'Connor. A freo hit helped tho visitors, who reached tho homo circle in force, hut Pulley threw away a good chance by giving sticks. The next incident was another sparkling run by I'hillpotts, but a promising effort ended by his carrying tho ball over tho goal lino. After resultless play in midfield, E. .Watts got possession from L. Spiers and made for the goal. O'Connor rushed out to meet him, but failed to get the ball, and Watts shot cleanly into the net. New Zealand .. . 1 Australia 0 Australia attacked again and O'Connor kicked to safety in face of a concerted rush. A run in which Reid was prominent had Australia cornered, but tho visitors escaped safely just as tho whistle went for half-time, the score being:— New Zealand .. .. .. 1 Australia .. .. .. .. 0 When play was resumed Australia came away down the line, but the New Zealand forwards doggedly regained the lost ground. Phillpotts centred, but E. Watts was prevented from getting his shot in. A powerful hit by Todkill cleared to past half-way, but New Zealand was quickly back. Goal Lost by Kicking. O'Connor stopped a sharp shot, but his clearing hit was promptly returned and C. Watts struggled into the goal with tho ball. However, the visitors were awarded a freo hit for kicking. 11. Connie led Australia back and Grant failed with a shot at goal. During an encounter in midfield, C. Watts received a very painful blow over tho cyo from a rising ball, and had to retire, his place being taken by Anthony. Reid cleared successfully when New Zealand was cornered. In spite of the conditions the Australian forwards occasionally managed to pass right across tho ground, and they gave not a few glimpses of clover stick work. Robb and Reid carried the ball into the circle, where a sudden goal was scored by Anthony before tho defenders had time to rally. New Zealand 2 Australia .. .. .. .. 0 Australia returned to tho attack and Now Zealand was in difficulties. Phillpotts got possession from a corner hit against Now Zealand and averted danger. Later a pass was sent on to him by Cole, and ho went through to tho circle, but his shot was turned aside by Todkill. Pnlloy, Grant, and Nettleton charged down on the home goal and a fierce scrimmage took place in front of tho goal until tho ball went over tho line. lime and again tho Now Zealand forwards stormed tho circlo but met a flawless defence. Forguson set his forwards moving with a powerful drive. Stephens carried it on, but could not reach the circle. NewZealand came back and D. Roid was attacking from the right wlien the final whistle went, tho gamo ending: New Zealand 2 Australia.. 0 Tho roferees were Messrs. G. Waddingham (Auckland) and R. Gracic (Cantorbury). RECORD OF THE TOUR. FIVE WINS, THREE LOSSES. Following is tho record of tho Australian touring hockey team: — Wairarapa.—Won, 7—3. Wellington.—Lost, 2—7. Dannevirke.—Lost, 2—3. Taranaki.—Won, 3—2. Now Zealand.—Won, I—o. Otago.—Won, 2—o. Canterbury.—Drow, I—J. Feilding.—Drew, 2—2. Thames.—Won, 7—o. New Zealand.—Lost, o—9.