HOCKEY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10503, 11 July 1910, Page 1

HOCKEY.

WELLINGTON v. HOROWHENUA. (Pee Peess Association.) Wellington,JulylO. The Wellington Hockey represents-. tives started off on their second challenge for the shield by beating Horowhenua by 6 goals to 1, after a rather one-sided game. GYMNASTIC v. '6AMARU. It was combination, tliat proved the. ruin of the Oamaru Hockey Club's rc-. preserita'tives when tliey met Gymnastics at the A. and P. Grounds on Saturday—-not go much the combination that their opponents possessed as the combination they themselves lacked. Naturally a club which, like Oamaru, lias not the opportunity of playfig 'against outside teams, c'anriot easily gain this mucli-desired element of success —an element which comes only with long practice. But in defe'a.V trie secret or success may be ltea'rrit,- no doubt the Oamaru players will profit much by Saturday's strenuous game. .Though the final score showed Gymnastics with four goals to Oarnarft's nil, tlie contest was not so one-sided as these figures would appear to indicate. In' the first spell the teams "were very evenly matched, and on occasions the visitors had to concentrate their energies 'fe saVc their goal.' To b6th sides the ground was strange. • To Gymnastics it was fast, and consequently they hit too hard ; to Oamaru ; it was-a little slow, being dampei* than tis'ual, arid there was much over-running the ball. Oamaru forwards played well individually, but were somewhat at a loss for the strength which lies in unity. M'Douall and Clarke-, on the wings, .were in good form, though Clarke on more than one "occasion lost the product of a clever run up the line by failinig to ceiitre qtiickly. Tlie pace was fast, arid the opposing team had that fear-instilling doubtful quantity kiiown as a reputation, so it is not surprising that when the ball was fairly centred in the' circle the forwards became flurried, and not one of them could shoot a goal—though several tried. Austin, the Gymnastic goalkeper, was a team in himself when it > came to defence or the institution of a counter-attack, and lie was well backed up by Latham. Thus it came about that though there were many ''nearlies" for either side no score was registered in the first spell. Little tim'e had elapsed in the second i half before Oamatu began to get into difficulties. Gymnastic forwards began to press hiird. supported by long-hit-ting from their backs. At this stage Oamaru backs were weighed in the balance and found waiting. Jones continued to play a good game of defence and attack, and some good saving was done also by C. l'iper and Muldoon. But the attack was too forceful and consistent, and eventually the defence was worn down and the first goal registered. A little while after this Gr'enfell, who had been making a good showing against such an experienced veteran at Dunkleyv had his chin cut open by a rising ball and was compelled to retire. His place

was taken by v Mackisa'ck, whose usual position is in the backs. Gradually the Oamaru defence fell to pieces, and though occasional flashes of attack were seen Gymnastics managed to make their total of goals four before tlio whistle sounded. Dunkley was responsible 'for two goals, the. others being 'feliot by Crawford. After the match the visitors were entertained at tea by the local club. They left by the second express tor Dunedin.