HOCKEY TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 13

HOCKEY TOUR

AUSTRALIANS DEPART

MANAGER'S COMMENTS GREAT EXPERIENCE GAINED PLAY IN THE DOMINION "Although we are naturally a little disappointed with the results, we have thoroughly enjoyed our tour," said Mr. W. Roth well, manager of tho visiting Australian hockey team, prior to leaving by the Marama last night. "All the members of the team are young and will benefit greatly by the experience gained on the trip. In the early part of the tour the ground conditions were somewhat strange, and the players had a little difficulty in becoming accustomed to them. Grounds in the Dominion are much heavier than in Australia, and the fact that they vary so much in different localities made them even more difficult."

Commenting on the standard of play in the Dominion, Mr. Rothwell said he considered that stick-work was not as good as in previous years. However, the visit of the Indian team early next season would be of very great benefit to the game both in Australia and New Zealand. All the members of the team were very enthusiastic regarding the reception they had received in the Dominion and were keen to return 011 the next tour, which, if held, would probably be in 1938. During the tour, which occupied five weeks, the team played 18 matches, winning 11, losing six and drawing one. The test match, played at Dunedin, was won by New Zealand by five goals to three. The record of the team is as follows: — v. Waikato, lost, 2—3. v. Dannevirke, won, s—l. v. Horowhenua, won, 4—o. v. Wellington, lost, I—3.1 —3. v. Nelson, won, 4—2. v. Motueka, won, 4 —o. v. Marlborough, won, s—o. v. Kaikoura. won, s—o. v. Canterbury, won, 2—l. v. Malvern, won, 6—-0. v. Geraldine, won, B—o. v. New Zealand (test), lost, 3—5. v. North Otago, won, 4—2. v. Manawatu. lost, I—2. v. Hawke's Bay, won, 4—1.. v. Auckland, drawn, 3 —3. v. Piako, lost. 2—o. v. Rodney, lost, 6—4. DEFEATED BY RODNEY SIX GOALS TO FOUR [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WARKWORTH, Friday The Australian hockey team played Rodney at Warkworth this morning. Rodney won by 6 goals to 4. The Australian players did not produce their best form, as they were feeling the effects of the strenuous tour. The ground was in good order, and conducive to fast play. There was an attendance of 600. The game was a very interesting and spectacular exhibition of hockey. After tho match, the teams were entertained at a dinner. In proposing the toast of the visitors, the president of the Rodney Hockey Association, Mr. G. T. Civil, expressed appreciation of the courtesy of the team in consenting to making this fixture after the itinerary had been arranged. The Rodney supporters had seen better hockey than they had ever before witnessed, and they keenly appreciated it. In replying, Mr. W. Rothwell, manager of the team, said that the team was very glad to have sp£nt s 119)1 a pleasant time 011 the last day of its tour. They were very grateful to the Rodney enthusiasts for the preparation of such a good ground. As this was his last speech on the tour, Mr. Rothwell expressed the team's very sincere appreciation of the hospitality it had enjoyed throughout New Zealand. Indeed, epping with the hospitality was more strenuous than playing the matches.