Hockey.

Opunake Times, Volume XXX, Issue 1648, 24 June 1910, Page 3

Hockey.

, (By " Sticks.") .POSITION OP THE TittAMS. ; Played Won Lost Cup Poi- tB

ppunake are still at the head of the liattslhaia and Opua being bracketed for second place. Egmont seem to be going well for the wooden spoon. Buck up, Egmonf I

OPUNAKE (2) v. OPUA (2). Optmake journeyed to Opua and splayed a drawn game, which is a very good indication of the merits of the play between the two teams. From the initial bully Opunake commenced a hot attack on the whites' stronghold. At least three goals should have been scored daring this period, but overeagerness on the part of the maroon forwards lost many chances. Opua now opened up the game, and play shifted dangerously near the maroons' circle. For a time . the attack was staved off. At this stage Coombridge, who received a nasty knock, retired for a time. From the bully the ball was driven out to the Opua left wing (A. Oallendar), who beat the maroon backs and then , centred. Bowman drove through, * scoring the first goal for the home team. Opunake now attacked, but v the whites broke away in a grand rash, carrying the ball the length of the field; but good play by Newsham saved the situation. Time was called shortly afterwards while Opunake were attacking.—Opua 1, Opunake 0. The second spell was commenced in a heavy shower of rain, which made things unpleasant for spectators and players alike. As in the beginning of , the first spell, Opunake attacked strongly, and after ten minutes' fruitless play their efforts were rewarded, Holmes shooting a good goal, making the scores even. Both teams were now giving a good display of fast and tricky play. The white forwards gradually worked the ball down on to Opunake's line, and in a good rush they beat the opposition, enabling Feaver to drive in. This reverse livened the maroons up. Callander, King and Lothian headed a rush into Opua territory, but the ball was driven just outside the post. The whites then initiated an attack, which was stopped by Callander, who broke through the ruck, and dribbled the length of the field. Lothian was in attendance, and shot a good goal, bringing the scores to "two all." With only a few minutes to go, the maroons were playing desperately to win, and Opua were doing the same to stave off defeat. However, the Opua defence proved equal to the occasion, and the game ended, Opunake ... ... 2 Opua 2 For Opua, A. Callander was the "star" player. Bowman, 0. Feaver .and Waller also showed out very prominently. For Opunake, Callander, Newsham, . and Cannell were the best out of a hard working team. A word re the referee. It was in no small measure due to Mr Nioholls' able refereeing that the game proved to be such an enjoyable one. The usual talkies and barracking were conspicuous by their absence.

\ By "Fibefly." IHAIA EOAD (2) v. PIHAMA (1). This game was played on the Opunake rec. The Piuama team was slightly altered on the origioal team selected, G. Bayliss being unable to play owitig to an injured hand. The first spell opened vigourously, many players using their stioks with more vehemenance than the rules allow. Fihama showed the most science, principally on account of the judicious passes given by Fear to his outer conferee, and had Ihaia players frequently gathering to defend their goal. The combination of Oatohpole, Cameron (2). and King relieved the danger on every occasion. The first goal was obtained by the fine follow* ing up of tbe first two mentioned players hooking the ball from tbe Fihama goal-keeper, who came out to meet the attaok, Cameron piloted the ball through. The spell ended with no farther ecore. The second spell was very even, although Ihaia had several narrow escapes in not having a score put up against them, the whistle sounding for infringements when Ihaia goal was in jeopardy. The second s<*ore wpb the result of play being brought in front of Pihama's goal, and hovering there for pome minutes. Finally, with a united effort, the Ihaia forwards and half-backs surged their opnonents back and snored. The whistle sounded wit!) the score as above. Oatchpole and Kappelfy played the best forward game on the ground, with 8. Cameron a splendid second. The former plays the forward game ?ery consistently, and certainly less Wildly, than the other two mentioned forwards. His dribbling is fine, and be always keeps within recoverable distance of the ball. Of the backs, Fear played with a better knowledge than any other back on the ground, and gave several good passes for his wingers to shoot goals. The fast following up of the Ihaia forwards was responsible for tbe scores obtained. The game can be classed as a very keen go, and the fastest yet played on the reo. ■ In the first spell Mr W. Duffill was referee, but subsequently handed the whistle to Mr Robertson, who very ••pably and decisively checked a lot of rickleur and perhaps dangerous mis* OM of sticks.

A goal keeper drew the attention of spectators to the infringements going on with the hitting. A little later he had occasion to make a strong drive nnd the stick went up like a sky scraper, and the whistle sounded for infringement before the stick got in. (By " Professor ") OAONUI (4) v EGMONT (1). The Egmont hockey team travelled out to Oaonui last Wednesday, and were defeated by four goals to one. It was said to be the friendliest game yet played in the division. Right from the bully-off the greens worked the ** dough-boy " into the blue and whites' territory, but W. Waswo sent play to half-way by one of his powerful bits ; give and take play followed, until Waswo found a weak spot in the green backs, and Turner working the ball into the circle enabled Waswo to get a good shot, drawing first blood. Oaonui ... ... 1 Egmont ... ... 0 From this the greens made several' attempts, but one of their forwards got a bit muddled and hit the ball too hard causing is to go over the force line. From the bully at twentyfive, Oaonui got the ball and made a rush, but Mcllvride saved by a good line hit. Both teams pegged away until Oaonui got going again, and worked the ball up, enabling MoCaul to shoot another goal. Oaonui ... ... 2 Egmont ... .... 0 This made the greens wake up and they got to it, making several attempts but played the ball outside the goal; give and take play followed until the greens got a bit of a pass on and worked the ball into the circle, but Waswo was there to hit the ball up the line, 1 Turner being up the line to take it on, and accompanied by MoCaul, carried play inside the chalk line, and after a bit of scrumming, Turner got the ball through. Oaonui ... ... 8 Egmont ... ... 0 Give and take play followed for a few minutes, and the whistle sounded for half time without further soore. When the whistle to start went the teams changed ends, greens being favored with a little sea-breeze, but had uphill play. From the start both teams went at it, and Oaonui got the ball out and worked it into the circle, Turner making a shot, but it hit Mellvride's boot and shot .pver the bar ; however, after a little while the blues got a bustle on, Turner made a shot but rose tbe ball and sent it over the bar. From the bully off the greens took charge of the ball and got a move on, Mollvride making a good shot. Oaonui ... ... 8 Egmont ... ... 1 After this Egmont got a bit of a bustle on and got into the circle, but Waswo proved too safe, taking play up the field ; give and take play followed, Turner getting tbe ball, made a good shot. The game ending thus.

Oaonui ... ... 4 Egmont ... ... 1 Mr H. Young had charge of the whistle.

The best players for Oaonui were, McOaul, Turner and Waswo, the latter in course of a short time will make a perfect full-back. And for the, greens, Mcllvride, Jim Parsons, L. Parsons, and Johnson were the pick. It is probable Oaonui will play a friendly match on the reo on Saturday with the Egmont team. The following will represent Egmont, against Ihaia next Wednesday: K. Brennan, Johnson, Dudley, Mcllvride (capt.), O'Dea, Parsons (4), Grover, Butterini. Emerg. Duffy, Eversfield. POSSIBLES y. PROBABLES. The following are selected to play in a trial match to-morrow, Possibles v. Probables :—-• Possibles.—Goal: Newsham ; fullbacks : Mcllvride, Neilson ; halves : A. Aitken (captain), Fear, L. Callander ; forwards : S. Cameron, Catch, pole, Turner, F. Bowman, J. Feaver. Probables. —Goal: Brennan ; fullbacks : Johnson, Coombridge ; halves: Nelson, Ashby, T. King ; forwards: L. Parsons, T. Cameron, C. Feaver, S. Lothian, A. Callander. Emergencies: 0. Cameron, Francis, Holmes, G. Feaver, D. Hiokey, C. Hickey, E. Grover, S. Peaoock, J. Parsons. The above players are requested to be on the ground at 1.15 p.m. sharp.

Opunake .. . 4 "I* 0 6 Ihaia . 8 ■ 2 0 -5 Opua . 4 2 1 5 Pihama .. . 4 2 2 4 Oaooui . 8 1 2 2 Egmont .. . 4 0 4 K£