HOCKEY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1748, 6 September 1905, Page 48

HOCKEY.

WELLINGTON DEFEATS MANAWATU Hockey players and enthusiasts were interested on Satui’day over the match between teams representing Wellington and Manawatu, played at Day’s Bay during the afternoon., but the interest was somewhat dampened by the rain which fell persistently throughout the morning, and until the 'steamer left the city wharf for the bay. On arrival at the other side of the harbour the rain mercifully held off, hut everything had been thoroughly drenched by the two days’ rain, and the grounds were in a very had state. Here and there miniature lagoons threatened to create fun for spectators and discomfort for players, and those portions of the ground that were not under water were treacherously greasy, so that even the surest-footed were ill at ease. The Wellington team met its equal in Manawatu. Given a dry ground, it is difficult to say which team would have won. The country players were as keen as mustard all-round; they hit hard and clean, and passed well. Wellington suffered through the absence of S. Hickson and Allen. Pope, who replaced Hickson, was lamentably out of form, and the game he played was fuli of faults. Organ did not make up for Allen’s loss, and Smythe had a tired feeling. The game ended: Wellington, 1 goal; Manawatu, nil!, Mr Falconer gave every satisfaction as referee. The Manawatu team (green and Halite) was as follow's:—'Goal, Burns; full-backs, Farrington and G. Luxford; halves, Slack, McKenzie, and K. Drew; forwards, D. Fraser, Crump, R. Fraser, Sorensen, and B. Drew. Wellington (yellow and black) was represented by:—'Goal, Pearson; fullbacks, Hickson and F. Ashbolt ; halves, Skelley, Reid, and Weybourne; forwards, Organ, Putnam, Pope, G. Davies, and Smythe.