HOCKEY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6270, 25 July 1907, Page 7

HOCKEY

WELLINGTON DEFEATS OTAGO. The interprovincial hockey match Wellington v. Otago, was played at Day's Bay yesterday afternoon. Ihe weather was excellent, and the ground was fairly dry. The game was a very interesting one, although a good deal ot the play was below representative standard. Wellington put in a strong team, and entered the field favourites in the eyes of the large gathering ox spectators. Tho opening of the game was characterised by some very scrappy play, whatever advantage there was resting with Wellington. After a few minutes, the Otago men livened up, and a determined forward rush was instituted by Calder, Cuttle, and Gower. An excellent chance of scoring, however, was thrown awav by Rutherford, who failed to stop tho * ball, letting it out of the ring. Then followed a fine struggle in front of tho Wellington goal, but the good defensive work of “the local backs averted a score. The centring of the blues (Otago) was also very bad, and lost them some fine chances of reaching the net. A free hit for obstruction on the part of Rutherford gave tho yeliow-and-blacks relief for a time, and White just saved a goal by kicking out in the face of the Wellington forwards. A few moments afterwards another goal was prevented by Moore, who, running in, brilliantly hit out the ball • from the goalmouth: Otago once more took a hand in the attack, but Goodman hit too hard, and drove the ball over the goal-line. Some very fine give-and-take play ®p" sued round the Wellington goal, but the game wr soon shifted to the other end of the head. # The Otago backs, however, were sound in defence, and beat off the attack. Coming up strongly again, the blues almost scored, but good play on the part of Hickson and Shuley prevented. disaster. At this stage of the game Murphy, who had been playing well for Wellington as inside left, received a severe blow on the face, which necessitated his retirement for some time He returned, however, a little before the end of the spell. Otago continued to press hard, but the excellent work or Hickson, and too hard t hitting, kept the Southerners from scoring. Just before the end of the spell, the Wellington forwards instituted a; scrambling rush, from which Elliqtt shot the first goal of the match. Roused into action by this reverse, the blues swept down, the field, headed by Rutherford, but Shuley kicked out. Soon after. Calder essayed a shot at goal, which narrowly missed, and tho spell ended with the score —Wellington, 1; Otago, ml. On the opening of the second spell the ball was secured by Smythe, who brought it dangerously near, Otago's goal. Elliott, however, failed with the shot. The Otago men agai began to press, and their forwards played excellently. Hickson carried the ball in the ring, and from the penalty shot the blues almost found the net, but the ball being knocked out, it was secured by Smythe, who soon took.it well o. ■: ot the danger zone. Wellington began to press hard once more, hut great, forward, play on the part of ' Otago shifted Ithe play to the other end. Hickson, however, was too good a full-back for even the Otago forwards, and with Ashbolt he set up a defence which was impenetrable. A brilliant opening was made by Calder, and a score seemed certain, but once more Hickson was in bis place, and the rush resulted in nothing. Seeming to tire for a time, the Otago men fell back, and the Wellington forwards, taking advantage of the cessation of the attack,- rallied, and Murphy shot a fine goal from the outside of tho ring. Wellington 2, Otago nil. A few minutes after Birkett headed a fine nish, and was rewarded with another goal. Wellington. S, Otago nil., Otago now .awakened from their lethargy, and an almost certain, score was saved right under the bar by Ashbolt, Soon after, from a corner hit, Gower shot a magnificent goal, drawing first blood for his side. Wellington 3, Otago 1. From a throwin Rutherford got away in fine - style, but tho ball was stopped in time by Reid. Calder, with a neat shot, placed the ball' in the circle, but was obstructed 'by Shelley. A penalty bully was granted, and Murphy getting over the line, the referee awarded a goal to Otago. A short period of even play followed, and the whistle sounded with the score: Wellington 3, Otogo 2. During the spell, Thomson, of Otago, received a nasty i knock in the face, but was able to play, although with an eye bandaged, which considerably effected his usefulness.

Of the Wellington team perhaps the most prominent was Hickson at fullback, who played an excellent game, and who may he said to have won the game for his side by keeping down Otago's score. His companion, Ashbolt, was also "on the spot" whenever he was needed, and put in some pretty work. The halves were not a great success, although Campbell played a good game at times. Murphy, Birkett, and Elliott, of the forwards, were often prominent, but their play was not in any way exceptionally brilliant. Shuley, in goal, was as safe and cool as ever.

The Otago keeper. White, also played well, but was not so cool as his rival. All the forwards, Rutherford, Gower, Guttle, Calder, and Madill, did well, and proved a fine scoring line. With a less deadly defence they would run up a big total of goals. The backs were not so good as their opponents, although Goodman and Moore at half put in some good work, Mr A. J. Cathie made an excellent referee.

After the match the Otago team was entertained at tea at the T.M.C.A. rooms. Mr H. N. Holmes was in the chair, and a welcome was extended to the visitors by Messrs H. S. Hart and C. S. Falconer, who complimented the team on their game. Mr Goodman, the Otago captain, replied on behalf of his men. The team went straight to the Southern boat, a number of members of the association bidding them farewell. A match between representatives of the Wednesday players, and the Saturday juniors provided a very close "go," each side scoring three goals.