HOCKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21406, 6 August 1931, Page 5

HOCKEY

By Centbe-Halp. SHIELD MATCH

Last Saturday was undoubtedly the most important Saturday of the season in Otago hockey. Great hopes went north to Christchurch with the Otago team on Friday, but Saturday afternoon brought only a cold wind and disappointment, as the news came through that the northern : team had proved too good for our boys j in the shield match. Apparently the Otago team proved disappointing. As no detailed report of the game has so far appeared here, the following extract . from the Press will probably be of interest to those who did not witness : the game:— ] The opening stages were all in Canterbury’s favour, two penalties against Otago i backs giving the home team a strong ad- ■ vantage, and Bell shot outside from a ! penalty corner. Canterbury forced the pace, Bell and JTurbitt being prominent, ; but Ireland and Hanning eventually ■ cleared. G. Silver took play well down, ! and centred to Rennick, whose shot com- | polled Dash to hit behind. The Canter- | bury forwards broke away, and M'Cor- ! mick, Turbitt, and Fullwqod combined ! in a good run which ended in a scramble i in Otago’s goal, and M Connick finished j the movement .by pushing • the ball into ' the net, Canterbury 1, Otago nil. Canterbury wgs showing more science in its play, and Bell and Sherriffs were associated in. a clever piece of play, but the latter’s shot went over. The Otago forwards took advantage of a miss by B. Rogers, and a free hit shortly after in Canterbury’s twenty-five gave Morris a chance to pass quickly jto Mayston, the latter equalising with a quick shot. Canterbury 1, Otago 1. G. Silver and Rennick went well down, the latter sending 1 a long pass to Thomson, iwhose shot nar.j rowly missed. ' Sherriffs ran down Can- | terbury’s right wing and centred hard to 1 Turbitt, the latter’s shot being cleared jby Twose. The Canterbury forwards I dominated the play, and were well sup- ! plied with the ball by the Here brothers and B. Rogers, all of whom were playing I great games. Canterbury’s second goal i came as a result of combined play by | Sherriffs, M'Cormick, and Turbitt, the i latter finishing off a clever movement by following -in and scoring neatly. Canterbury 2, Otago’ 1. Otago got away, led by the Silver brothers, but was well stopped by C. Rogers. The half time score was: Canterbury 2, Otago 1. Canterbury dominated the attack in the early stages of the second spell, the first score of the spell coming from clever play by B. Rogers, who sent the ball to Fullwodd. the latter beating Twose and passing to M'Cormick, who had an easy shot. Canterbury, - 3, Otago 1. Shortly after Bell and T.urbitt got going, the former having a shot which Twose stopped, and Turbitt, following in, scored easily. Canterbury 4. Otago 1. Otago was playing like a beaten team, A penalty corner gave Bell a chance with a stinging shot. Canterbury 5, Otago 1. Canterbury continued to attack, and was evidently superior to the visitors. The local forwards eased up, and the half line was quite competent to deal with the visitors’ attack. The, game ended tamely with the score: Canterbury 5, Otago 1. TEAMS ENTERTAINED After the match the two teams were entertained at a dinner by the Canterbury Association, about 40 players and officials being present. In proposing the toast of “ The Visitors,” Mr L. Smith congratulated the visiting team on its game, saying that the display, had been very creditable considering the fact that k number of the players had had no experience in shield. games. He said • that Canterbury was fortunate in having , a capable trainer for its shield team, and also fortunate in the wealth of material coming into the game through the schools. V In replying.to the toast of “The New Zealand Association,” Mr S. G. Holland stated that the visit of the All India team next season was practically assured. There was a possibility of two visits, in April and in August, as in the event of negotiations between Australia and India falling through, it was quite possible that the New Zealand Association would endeavourto arrange for the All India team to visit the Dominion both going to the Olympic Games and on its way back to India. JUNIOR SEVEN-A-SIDE The junior seven-a-side tournament, which was held last Saturday at the Oval, attracted 10 entries, and these teams fought it out in the cold on poorly-con-ditioned grounds. University D had to play hard to gain the honours. Seven-a-side games are not particularly illuminating as fer as the ability of the players is concerned, but, as far as could be gained by watching the play, there was nothing very startling among the juniors who took part in the tournament. Extra time had to be played in the last games in section 1, and this made the final a little later than had been anticipated. The tournament, however, was well conducted, and little time was lost in getting the games completed. I , WELLINGTON’S COUNTRY TOUR The decision of the Management Committee of the Wellington Hockey Association to send a strong senior team on tour towards the end of August ie a most commendable one in these days when everything possible should be done to encourage and increase interest in the game (says a writer in the Wellington Evening Post). It is perhaps easier to invite representative teams to visit Wellington, although the financial aspect must be considered, but if tjie game is to progress care must be taken to see that the minor associations have their share of public support. With this in mind, the Management Committee has acted wisely in undertaking a tour of the country districts. Two at least of the matches in view had to be played in any ease by way of return tor games played in Wellington, but if they were to be. decided on separate visits the expense would be considerable, and the same interest would not attach to them as will be given by a tonring team. There is only one aspect of the arrangements which may be open to criticism, and that is the strain which will be imposed on the touring team by having to play six' matches in six days. This, however, is inevitable if the tour ie to be conducted at a reasonable expense, and while it is hardly likely that the team will bo at its best for the final games of the trip, the visits to the various towns should have a most stimulating effect on the game locally, and that is the prime consideration after all. A considerable amount of travelling will be involved, hence the decision that a game against Wanganui cannot be included in the itinerary. This is regrettable in view of the eagerness with which the Wanganui Association hailed the previous suggestion of a match against a Wellington team on its way to play Taranaki, but the difficulty cannot be overcome so far as the present tour is concerned, ■ and no doubt the Management Committee will keep the matter in view for next season.