HOCKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22052, 7 September 1933, Page 5

HOCKEY

By Centbe-hait. FIXTURES September 9. —Seven-a-eide tournament at the Oval. September 10.—Otago v. North Otago, at Dunedin; Otago v. H.M.A.S. Australia, at Caledonian Ground. September 23. —Otago ,v. South Canterbury, at Timaru. September 30.—Otago v. Southland, at Dunedin. JUNIOR. September 23. —Otago v. South Canterbury, at Timaru. September 30. —Otago v. Southland, at Dunedin. THE CANTERBURY MATCHES Considerable doubt exists in mens hockey circles in Dunedin concerning the Canterbury Association’s reason for cancelling the Senior and Junior matches that were to have been played at Dunedin between the two provinces last Saturday. The official explanation was that Canterbury was unable to field a full team owing to several of the members being engaged in the North-South Island match being played at Nelson, but under the circumstances it was surprising to find that Canterbury sent a team to play North Otago at Oamaru. The score in this game, moreover, seven goals to two in favour of the northern province, would suggest that it was not a materially weakened team that travelled, since the score in the game between North Otago and Otaco was three goals to two in favour of the latter. The Otago Association is entitled to some satisfying explanation of this matter, since if Canterbury’s highhanded action is allowed to pass without question future competition between the two provinces must always be attended by a certain lack of confidence, which would be a most undesirable state of affairs FORTHCOMING GAMES The attention of played will be taken up on,Saturday with a seven-a-side tournament to be held at the Oval. This should be productive of some good competition, and the final results will be watched with interest. On Saturday week there are two games in which Otago teams will take part. Since the H.M.A.S. Australia will be in port one team will play a team from the ship at the Caledonian Ground at 1.30 ns a curtain raiser to the Association football match to be played between members of the ship’s company and an Otago team. The other fixture will be acainst North Otago, and this game will be most likely played at Oval No. 1. North Otago showed in the previous encounter this season that it has some promising material, and the match will no doubt draw a fair attendance. HATCH CUP GAME Saturday last saw Canterbury defend the Hatch Cup for the eleventh time, and retain it, the teams drawing with one goal each. The Otago team put up a great challenge and certainly had the territorial advantage throughout the game. For Otago J. Torrance played a sterling game at left full-back. Time and time again he broke down the clever combination of the Canterbury forwards with great effect. J. Campbell (in goal) played one of the best games this season, his sure footwork and clearances being an asset to his team. In the half-line A. Kennedy (centre) was very fair,_ although he did not come up to expectations. B. Coburn played a good game throughout. None of the forwards was as good as the Canterbury boys. S. Shrimpton (centre) played a disappointing game, losing the scoring opportunities that came his way. D. Stewart’s attempt at getting a goal on one occasion was a good one, as the ball just hit the post and bounced out. Williams was good in the first half, but the support of Tuckwell was lacking. Wells’s only bright spot all afternoon was the goal which he got; it was a neat shot. Of the others, Muudy and Cuthhert played mediocre games. For Canterbury much rented upon their forwards. When it is to be remembered that they put on 10 goals against Ashburton the previous Saturday, they were very disappointing in the circle. _ The selector put a good deal of trust in H. Randle, C. Randle, and R. James, who have been playing together all the season, but they did not come to light. Their stick work and short passing, however, were a treat to see. In the full-back line C. Hardy and L. Smith proved almost impenetrable. B. Peacock, as -entre-half, played .well, as also did the other halves, B. Crooker and B. Green. The 11-year-old goalie, G. Baxter, had very little to do. His smallness should have been some encouragement to the big Otago boys. Taking it all round Otago had the territorial advantage and were decidedly unlucky not to win. THE RECORDS The following are the records of the Hatch Cup since 1919, when it was presented to the New Zealand Hockey Asso-. ciation for interprovincial primary school competition:— 1920 Otago beat Canterbury. 1921 — Otago drew with Canterbury. 1922 Canterbury 9, Otago 2. ' 1923 Canterbury 4, Otago nil. 1924 — Canterbury 6, Otago nil. 1925 Canterbury 10, Otago nil. 1926 — Canterbury 1, Wellington 1. 1927 Canterbury 11, Otago nil. 1927 Canterbury 9, Wellington 1. 1928 Canterbury 9, Otago nil. 1929 Canterbury 12,. Otago 1. 1930 — Canterbury 7, Otago nil. 1931 Canterbury 9, Otago 1. 1933 —Canterbury 1, Otago 1. LADIES’ GAMES September 9.—South Otago tournament at Milton, THE CUP FINAL. The result of the final-between Canterbury and Otago was awaited, anxiously by all enthusiasts in -the province, and when it' did come through there were many sadly disappointed. After Canterbury s fight in the A section and the Otago eleven’s comparatively easy road to victory, and more especially their great victory over the Cup holders on iuesday, it wm expected that our eleven would carry the day. But the Canterbury defence proved so sound that even Otago 8 good forwards could not penetrate; in fact, Canterbury had a good share of the game. On the day’e play, although Otago had throughout the tourney proved a better side, a draw was evidently a ?ood indication of the merits of both sides. Canterbury’s spoiling tactics, were too much for our eleven, who, it is reported, did not display the previous days form. It was a great go from start to hnisn, and* for the Canterbury side to make a draw of it shows the strength of hockey in their province, . . . , Having won the Cup, it is now Otago s duty to hold it. As. in all. probability, the contest will next season be held n Blenheim, I would suggest that nn early start be made to collect the necessary cash to send the team away. It has taken many years to build the Cup' Winning eleven, and at times of jubilation such as this we are apt to foiget all those who were the mainstay of the pro vince years ago. The referees, players, and enthusiasts who went so near to winning, yet failed, paved the way with their experience and reputation, both on and on the field, and through the K Cup team they may see the results of th Goal to scorers for Otago were:-Misses Hunt 8. M. Scott 5, G. Vidal 7, 2. s. Vidal 1, A. Mackie 2, L. Vidal 4, TC Scott 2; —total, 31. , . The following shows the fortunes of teams in the A and C sections Otago s B* section table was published last week. Otao’o played 7, drew 1, lost 0, points for 31, points against 0.

Section Winners.—A. Canterbury; B, Otago; C, Eastern. Semi-final.— Otago 2, Eastern nil. Cup Final.—Otago nil. Canterbury nil. K Cup.l933—Otago and Canterbury. Floyd Shield.—Canterbury and Otago. Holden Cup.—Eastern.

It has been stated that the usual high quality of refereeing was not so apparent at Dannevirke ns at previous tourneys. A tribute has to be paid to the members of the local Referees’ Association based on the remarks of players who attended the tournament at Logan Park last year, and it is evident that the local adjudicators in the game are held in the highest esteem by all tournament contestants for the K Cup. This in some measure may have assisted in the success attained by our representative eleven. Good refereeing makes good hockey, and the men responsible for this part of the game surely share in the honours attained this year. OTAGO A v. OTAGO B. Playing at Carisbrook, fresh from their trip north, the Otago eleven played a second representative side on Saturday to assist the funds of the Sports Queen (Mrs R. Hudson). The superior combination of the cup holders had the B defence on the run for the major portion of the first spell, and good stick work and knowledge of what the neighbouring player was about to do soon brought results. A lead of six goals to nil was their reward by half time, and it was found necessary to even up tlie game. Misses Johnson, Z. Morris, and V. Scott played for the B’s, and from then on the game was much more evenly contested, and the champion forwards found it difficult to penetrate the B defence. The B forwards scored, and it was n very even spell. The result of the play leaves little doubt ns to the strength of the cup winners, who all showed a first-class knowledge of the game, excellent combination amongst the forwards, and decided goal-getting ability. The defence was very sure, and their tackling good. The half-line stopped many likely rushes and fed their forwards well. The front line w r as fast, with heady stick work, and it is not surprising that their tally up north was so large. The majority of the tourists have youth on their side, and, with the experience gained in tournament play, will be, a decided asset to Otago for years to come.

Section A. P.W.D. L. Goals. Sect F. A. Pts, Canterbury 5 5 0 0 25 0 8 15 13 to 8 6 4 Southland .. Akitio .. .. 5 4 0 1 5 3 0 2 5 2 0 3 15 24 11 Buahine B .. 5 0 14 8 1 J 1 Wairarapa B 5 0 14 6 30 1 Eastern Section C. 5 4 10 20 5 9 Bush 5 4 0 1 14 8 8 Marlborough 5 2 1? 0 8 5 Mannwntu .. 5 2 0 3 9 10 4 Taranaki 5 2 0 3 914 4 Wairarapa A 3 0 0 0 4 17 0