HOCKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23542, 4 July 1938, Page 6

HOCKEY

UNIVERSITIES’ TOURNAMENT MATCH AGAINST INDIANS The New Zealand Universities’, annual hockey tournament, which is to be played at Dunedin this year for the first time, will be commenced at Logan Park this afternoon, when the first round of matches in the men’s and women’s competition will be decided. Two rounds will be played to-morrow, when the women’s tournament will be completed, but there will be two further rounds of men’s matches on Wednesday. Drizzling rain made conditions unpleasant for the arrival last night of the visiting northern teams by special train from Christchurch. The chairman of the New Zealand Universities Committee (Mr Charles E. Hubbard) and his colleague (Mr John Boyd, billeting controller) met the visitors, who were in high spirits, despite a 12-hour train journey. A large crowd of students and residents gathered on the platform and met the train, which arrived at 8.45 p.m. There were lively scenes as the visitors left the train to the accompaniment of College hakas. During the progress of the tournament the New Zealand universities selectors. Dr N. L. Edson and Mr E. D. Brown, will select a team from those taking part to meet the Manavadar Indian touring team at Cansbrook next Saturday. There is said to be a good deal ot talent in the teams representing the various university colleges and Otago University, and it is anticipated that it will be possible to make up a combined team which will provide the Indians with one of the hardest matches of their tour. Indeed, in some quarters, the game is looked upon as being on very much the sami footing as a test match. Only two Otago University players have been nominated for the New Zealand team, C. E. Hubbard and A. JAlldred, but not a few of those who will be representing other universities are well known here, and it is probable that some of these will secure places in the team. The match will be played prior to the Rugby Flag Competition match set down for next Saturday. The referees for this afternoons games are as follows: — ... Men’s Games (2.45). —Auckland v. Otago B, Messrs A. Barnes, G. Silver; Canterbury v. Otago A, Messrs M. Pinder, H. Sew Hoy; Victoria v. Massey College. Messrs R. McKelvey. R■wr a n a ce Women’s Games (I.3o).—Caffier bury v. Otago, Mrs Sonntag,.Miss R. Warburton; Auckland v. Victoria, Mr R. S. Wallace. CANTERBURY BEATEN INDIANS’ CLEVER DISPLAY (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, July 2. In the presence of nearly 10,000 spectators the Prince of Manavadar s touring hockey team beat Canterbury by four goals to nil in a game in which the interest of the crowd was held from start to finish. . The Indians displayed excellent ball control and their positional play and passing were first-class. They tacked with equal ease on either wing, although the left was used most. The ground was very heavy and in a condition which would ordinarily have militated against clever stick play. The conditions were probably the worst the Indians have encountered on their tour, and their performance to-day was a remarkable demonstration of their ad Several lt {imes during the game what promised to be excellent movements were stopped through players losing control of the ball in the thick mud which became very evident after the first five minutes. This was probably the reason why both sides used the push shot. A feature of the game was the way in which .Canterbury adapted to its own use the tactics of the visiting team. The Indians used the flick shot to advantage, and soon after the start Canterbury did the same. The Indian forwards gave displays equal to those of previous tours, and had perfect understanding of one another’s play. The halves also were fast, giving the Canterbury forwards few chances to make openings. Their understanding was excellent, and they did not hesitate to pass back when hard pressed. The backs both gave fine displays and combined excellently, while the goalkeeper, although not overworked, showed that he would be hard to beat. Abdul Latif and Sultan Khan were the pick of the Indian forwards, displaying wonderful ball control. Shahabuddin and Fernandez, on the wings, had great speed and centred accurately. only fine defence by Canterbury saving several goals. Shahnoor Khan and Lajpat Rai gave brilliant exhibitions in the halves. Their breaking up of the attacks by the Canterbury forwards was outstanding, and they combined excellently with the backs at all times. Both Gurnaram Singh and Hussain were very solid backs and gave the Canterbury forwards no opportunities. In the first half the forwards were crowding one another, but in the later stages the Indians were hard pressed on several occasions. N. Bowden, on the right wing, made several good openings, and Rusbridge and Norman were also prominent, but they had not the penetration to break through the Indian defence. In the halves, Loader and W. Bowden gave excellent displays, intercepting brilliantly and defending very solidly. The backs both played well, and only the clever stick work of the Indian forwards beat them Barnhill, in goal, acquitted himself very well under heavy fire. The half time score was 3-ml, only one goal being added in the second spell, when Canterbury had more of the game. The goals*for India were scored by Shahabuddin and Abdul Latif (two each).

ENGLISH TOURING TEAM

EASTERN SOUTHLAND BEATEN

(Per United Press Association) GORE, July 2. Played before several thousand spectators. the England v. Eastern Southland ladies’ hockey match at Gore today provided the finest exhibition of the game yet witnessed here. The game was marked by brilliant play by both teams, with England a shade better in attack and defence throughout. The pace set was exceptionally fast, and there -/ere incidents aplenty to excite the huge crowds. During the first spell fortunes fluctuated for 20 minutes until the English combination told and P O’Donoghue opened the scoring. In the first few minutes of the second half the English forwards completed a brilliant effort instigated by J. Dowling. who passed in to B. West, for the latter to score. Soon after Eastern opened its account as the result of a scramble in the English goal, A. Sherriff retting. The final stages of play were very even. England won by 2 goals o 1.

WELLINGTON MATCHES

{Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. July 2. SENIOR A GRADE Karori I 4, Technical 2. Huia I 6. Wesley 0. Karori II 5. University 2. Hutt 5, Wellington 1.