HOCKEY TOURNEY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23381, 24 June 1939, Page 23

HOCKEY TOURNEY

COUNTEY WEEK FINAL WHITE HORSE GUP TO PIAKO RODNEY A TEAM DEFEATED The previous holder of the White Horse Cup, Rodney A, was defeated by Pinko by goals to ]in the final match of the Country Week hockey tourney at Hohson Park yesterday. Heavy showers in the early afternoon left the ground in a muddy condition, and play was not spectacular. Piako will hold the White Horse Cup and Podney A will be awarded the Captain White Cup, which goes to the runnerup in the competition. The final came was hard and keenly contested. and the margin of two goals in the scores was by no means a true indication of the run of play. For the greater part of the time the ball was in Piako's half of the field, but inaccurate shooting by the Rodney forwards, combined with a very strong defence, prevented Rodney's score from boing higher. Rodney fielded a penetrating attacking force and the forwards frequently gained the circle, but over-anxiety on their part, and brilliant play by Penny, Piako's goalkeeper, repeatedly caused the attacks to break down. The Piako forwards did not get under way as often as Rodney's, but when they did they proved a formidable force to check. Prominent in Rodney's attack were the two wingers, W.vatt and Phillips, both of whom made some fine dashes down the field, finishing with hard, accurate passes to the centre. Tho inside-right. Sharp, was outstanding on attack, while the centre-forward. Grimmer, who is to captain the Country A representatives to-day, gave a sound exhibition. Katavich played a sound game at right fullhack for Rodney, while his partner, K. Wyatt, also cleared frequently with strong, raking shots. Tho goalkeeper, Henderson, made somo fine saves, but be often failed to clear the ball properly, his kicking lacking force. Spiers, Piako's centre-forward, was always prominent, and he scored two of his team s goals. His circle play was a feature of the game. Fenny, goalkeeper, played a particularly fine game, and saved many difficult shots, clearing with strong, accurate kicks. Goals were scored for Piako by Spiers (-) and Oliver, while Sharp scored for Rodney A. Messrs. H. Watts and C'.. Wells were umpires. Following arc the results of two friendly games played at Hohson Park: —H.M.S. Leander, <i, beat Whakatane, I; Whangarci, .j, beat Rodney B, 2.

PROVINCIAL CUP LADIES' TOURNAMENT , THREE TEAMS TIE IN SECTION An interesting position arose yesterday at the conclusion of the first round of the ladies' Provincial Gup hockey tourney, when three teams with six points each tied in A section, while in B section Auckland and Hauraki Plains, with seven points each, were required to replay their match, the latter winning. The ties in section A will bo played this morning and the final in the afternoon. Whangarei A showed a return to form when it defeated Rotorua in a hard-fought game. The combination of the Whangarei forward line was a feature, while the defence solidly resisted Rotorua's attempts to retaliate. Northern Wairoa repeated its previous, successes by defeating Waikato by a margin of ono goal. Waikato, which has improved considerably, was stronger on defence than attack. Miss P. Taylor, at fullback, played confidently, breaking up several movements. Whangarei B and Rodney were evenly matched, and they drew in a fast and open game. The match between Auckland and Waipa resulted in a decisivo victory for the former by four goals to one. The section tie match saw Hauraki Plains dominant in an exciting game. Hauraki Plains outclassed Auckland in every position, the home team's main weakness being in the halfline. Possessing a fast forward division, Hauraki Plains took the offensive early in tho game, Miss M. Smith, on the right wing, being outstanding. Misses L. Gubb nnd B. Norrish were sound in the defence, the former intercepting and clearing without effort. For Auckland Mrs. L. Askine, at left fullback, was at all times reliable, and saved her side repeatedly. Following are the results: — Section A.—Whangarei A. 2 (K. Sands, P. Alison) beat Rotorua, 0; Northern Wairoa, (B. Swales 2, Z. Nash) beat Waikato. 'J Section B.—Whangarei B, 4 (F.. Pitman 3, E. I'aterson) drew with Rodney. 1 (G. Dunny :i U. Booth); Auckland. '1 (Nicholas 2, Lowe, Spring) beat Waipa. 1 (J. Lithgow). Section Tie.—Hauraki Plains, 2; Auckland, 1.

DRAW FOR TO-DAY Following is tho draw for to-day's play:— ■ A Section Ties.—Rotorua v. Northern Wairoa. Melville Park, 0.X50 a.m.; Whangarei A, a bye; winner of early match plays Whangarei 'A, 3 0.30 a.m. Provincial Cup Final.—lTauraki Plains v. winner of A section, Melvillo Park No. 1. 3.5 p.m. Country Cup Final.—Waipa v. runner-up in A section, Melville Park No. 3, 3.00 p.m.

COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES GAMES AGAINST AUCKLAND Following arc the Country representatives selected by Messrs. I). Hastic, of Piako. and P. Carter, of Whangarei, to play the Auckland representative senior and junior teams at Hobson Park to-day:— Country A.—Goalkeeper, T. Franklin nVhanfrarei): fullbacks, G. Katavicli (Rodney), Bellingham (Franklin); halves, E. Rodcrrs (Whakatane), E. Ashton (Rodney), R. Boywood (Rodney): forwards, E. Phillips (Rodney), C. Bint (Whakatane), J. Grimmer, captain (Rodney!, N. Stevens (Piako), N. W.vatt (Rodney). Reserves: M. Stevens (Piako), J. Price (\Vhangarci), R. Saddleton (Franklin). Country B —Goalkeeper. A. Henderson (Rodney): fullbacks, W. Kerr (Piako), K. W.vatt (Rodney); Halves. Griffin (ThamesHauraki). Turnhull, captain (Whakatane). R. Price (Whangarei); forwards, L. Whiskers (Whangarei), K. Sheppard (Rodney), Mcftowan (Franklin). .1. Carter (Whangarei), M. Neeley (Rodney). Reserves: L. Kerr (Piako). Powell (Franklin), C. Taylor (Waipa).

KENT CUP EVENT The special hockey match for tho Kent Cup played annually between Whangarei and Piako will lie derided at Hobson Park this morning at fi.do. Messrs. G. Wells and 0. J. Cooke have been appointed umpires.