FINAL OF HOCKEY TOURNAMENT TO-DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26842, 5 August 1948, Page 6

FINAL OF HOCKEY TOURNAMENT TO-DAY

An all-Canterbury final in the New Zealand men’s hockey tournament will be played to-day as a result of the Canterbury A and B teams emerging leaders of their sections. Canterbury A have scored four points with a win over Canterbury C and draws with Otago B and Auckland. The B team’s record comprises wins over Otago A, Ashburton and Wellington, which have gained it six points. Fast and entertaining hockey was seen in spite of the rather heavy state of the Oval. Canterbury A and Auckland produced the most brilliant play of the tournament in a scoreless draw.

A goal scored by E. Adcock from a penalty bully gave Canterbury B a narrow win over Wellington. Both teams fielded fast forward lines and play ranged spasmodically from one goal-mouth to the other The Canterbury backs. E. Parrott and M. Downe. were towers of strength on defence, and E. McCormack, the right wing, played an enterprising attacking game. The Wellington halves, CMcLean and J. Tynan, were particularly sound, keeping their forwards well supplied with the ball. Ashburton Overwhelmed

The faster and more experienced Otago A team scored a runaway win by 15 goals to 3 over Ashburton. Otago’s forward line had a field day, P. Cassin, L. Poole, H. Crooks and D. Sturman all contributing to the total. Three of Ashburton’s sporadic sallies brought results, A. Thompson netting twice and A. Yarn old once. Brilliant Display A scoreless draw between Canterbury A and Auckland produced hockey of the very highest standard. Both teams gave scintillating displays, long, swift passing being a characteristic of the match. In the second spell. Canterbury appeared to tire, but Auckland, in spite of strenuous efforts, could not press home an advantage. Both sets of backs played sterling defensive games, L. Down for Canterbury and J. Buchan for Auckland being outstanding. Among the two impressive sets of forwards, J. Reece, I. Smith, and E. Thomas, of Canterbury, and B. Duffield, C. Coldham and I. Wyatt, of Auckland, stood out. Evenly-fought Game

A draw was a fair indication of the relative strength of Canterbury C and Otago B Each team scored two goals. Otago appeared to have the upper hand in a nevertheless closely-fought first spell. Canterbury replied strongly after the interval, however, and only desperate defence ■'by A. Jones, the goal-keeper, and T. Morgan and H. Salter, the backs, enabled Otago to break even. G. McSkimming scored from a penalty bully and D. Reid from a penalty corner for Canterbury, while K. Thompson and V. McArley netted Otago’s goals.