WELLINGTON WINS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26841, 4 August 1948, Page 6

WELLINGTON WINS

OTAGO’S IMPROVEMENT CANTERBURY EXTENDED HOCKEY TOURNAMENT Features of the centennial men’s hockey tournament which was continued in Dunedin yesterday were the Otago B team’s performance in drawing with Canterbury A, and Welling ton’,s defeat of Otago A by one goal in an excellent game. Auckland made amends for its defeat on the previous day by outclassing Otago B. Owing to the heavy state of the grounds at the Oval the matches were transferred to Logan Park, where the surface was cut up as the day wore on. To-day’s games will be held at the Oval. After two days the eight teams participating have scored t as follows: —

Otago A Loses Wellington put on the pressure in the closing stages against Otago A, winning by four goals to three. The game was played at a gruelling pace and, considering the heavy condition of the ground, the passing—particularly that of Welling-ton—-was accurate. With the scores I—nil in Wellington’s favour at half time, Otago had things all their own way when play was resumed and they gained a one-goal lead from a penalty goal. The Wellington forwards attacked strongly, however, and had the better of the play for the remainder of the game. R. Johannson, the Wellington centre forward, and I. Ting (inside right) were prominent among the forwards. Otago failed to exploit the right wing attack and Cassin was forced to play a rather subdued role. E. Kofoed, especially in the first half, played a fine game, and J. Porter in the halves was tireless. Scorers for Wellington were Johannson (2), J. Tynan and D. Mulheron, while L. Poole and H. Crooks scored for Otago. Drawn Game E. Thomson, the Otago B inside left, scored a fine goal in the closing stages of the game against Canterbury A to force a draw, two goals all. Canterbury demonstrated a superior knowledge of stickwork and positional play, but, by adopting bustling tactics and by the outstanding play of the halves, full-backs and the goal-keeper, Otago kept the game on an even keel. At half time, Canterbury was leading by two goals to nil, E Thomas scoring twice from penalty corners. Thomson scored for Otago early in the second spell and again near the finish of the game. A. Jones gave a fine exhibition In goal for Otago, stopping many of Canterbury’s dangerous moves. Canterbury B Too Strong Ashburton, the only minor association represented in the tournament, found the speed and experience of Canterbury’s second string too much to cope with and were beaten by 11 goals to nil. The fast forward line fielded by the winners was the main factor in their tall score. The Ashburton backs cleared weff, but the slow passing of the forwards prevented them from gaining the initiative. Scorers for Canterbury B were D. Adcock (3), M. Elliott (3), E. McCormack (3), and R. Randall (2). Otago B Outclassed Better team work generally enabled Auckland to inflict the heavy defeat of 7 goals to nil on Otago B. The winners were impressive in all departments, with a fast and dangerous forward line and uniformly impressive halves. Otago B lacked the cohesion of its opponents, but its defence, especially in the second spell, countered many strong Auckland movements. A. Jones was hard pressed in goal, but did some fine saving work. He was well supported by the right full-back, T. Morgan. Auckland’s outstanding forwards were B. Duffield, inside left, and R. Coldham. centre-forward. Goals for the winners were scored by Duffield (4) Coldham (2) and M. Robins. Canterbury Teams Meet

The Canterbury A and C teams fought out a close and thrilling game, the A’s winning by one goal to nil. Canterbury A, which was taking the field for the second time in the day, had a difficult task in keeping the lead, and in the second spell the C s had slightly the better of the play, but could not finish off their movements. C. Thomas scored for Canterbury A.

Wellington .. Wins. Losses. ..2 — Draws. Canterbury B .. 2 — — Canterbury A .. 1 — 1 Auckland .. 1 1 — Canterbury C .. 1 1 — Otago B .. — 1 1 Otago A « • 2 — Ashburton . . — 2 —