HOCKEY SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23094, 20 July 1938, Page 22

HOCKEY SEASON

OUTSTANDING DISPLAY REPRESENTATIVE TEAM'S WIN STRENGTH AMONG FORWARDS WATSON'S FINE EXHIBITION The three games played by tho Auckland representatives this season, against South Auckland, the Country representatives and Poverty Bay, have been won by such largo margins that the present side must be recognised as one of the best ever turned out by this province. Hockey in New Zealand is definitely progressing both in tactics and individual play, this having been effected to a large extent by the players following tho example set by tho touring Indian teams. Although not given as much freedom as in tho Country match, tho Auckland forward lino again demonstrated its all-round strength. Wcllbourno s form should win him a place in a NewZealand side, his work being clean and decisive. With his flick centres always being well placed and never lacking m force, Wellbourne played very well and no better service could have been given from this wing. On the other side of the field, Armstrong, although not given as many opportunities as he deserved, made excellent use of every opening. Pressure was maintained throughout the game by the inside forwards, although sterling defence made finishing

off difficult. The number of times the bull actually found the net only for tlio goal to be disallowed, however, was an indication that the forwards had lost none of their vigour in the circle. Houston was well marked by Lowe, the opposing centre-hall, but, although his effectiveness was lessened, ho still played a line name. The Auckland inside-left, Wyatt, showed excellent penetration and control of the ball, but the defenco was generally too strong lor him to iinish off his movements. An outstanding feature, and an improvement most gratifying to all followers of tho game, was the success of the homo team with penalty corners, for which full credit must go to Watson, the Auckland left-h{ilf. In all four goals were scored by this means, and every shot was a goal all the way. Besides contributing almost half of his team's goals, Watson played a very fine pa 1110 in the field, helping tho Auckland half line to dominate play for a great part of the match. Robertson was very strong in the centro of the field, being especially prominent on attack and displaying fine stickwork, while Stewart played a sound game in the other wing-half position. Although making a few errors near tho end of the game. Hogben proved hard to pass and combined well with Jones, who was the better of the pair, hitting more cleanly and being absolutely sound throughout the game. The Auckland backs compared favourably with the Poverty Bay defenders, in that there was much more purpose in their work, and combination with tho halves was much more noticeable.

TOURING TEAMS BOTH STILL UNBEATEN MEN'S TEST ON SATURDAY Neither of the two touring teams now in New Zealand, tho Manavadar Indian State team and tho English ladies' side, has yet suffered defeat, although the latter side played a drawn game against Wellington. Two of tho three test matches arranged for its tour have been played by the English ladies' side. The last test and also the final game of the tour will be played tomorrow at Wellington. Tho Indian team will play tho first test match against Now Zealand on Saturday in Christchurch. To date the Manavadar State team has the very fine goal record of 108 for and only six against, while the ladies' touring team has scored 90 goals, as against 14. Following are the results of tho matches played by both teams to date:

MANAVADAR STATE TEAM Wairarapa, won, s—o. Bush Union, won. .'3—l. Manawatij, won, 4—o. Wanganui, won, 4 —o. North Taranaki, won. s—l. South Taranaki, won. 6—l. Wellington, won, 12—0. Nelson, won, 7 —l. West Coast, won, 11—0. Canterbury, wou, 4 —o. Ashburton, won, 15 —0. South Canterbury, won, 2—o. New Zealand Universities, won, 2—l. North Otago, won, 9—l. Eastern-Northern Southland, won, 11—0. Southland, won, B—o.8 —0. ENGLISH LADIES' TEAM Waipa, won, 7 —l. Auckland, won, s—l.5 —1. Nelson, won, 10—0. Canterbury, won, (i—l. Ashburton, won, 9 —l. Otago, won, 9 —o. Central Otago. won, 7 —l. Eastern Southland, won. 2 —l. First Test, won, 4—l. Wellington, drawn, o—o0 —0 Akitio, won, 9—o. Feilding. won, 7 —3. Second Test, won, 4—3. Bush, won, 11—1.