HOCKEY

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 55

HOCKEY

NORTH AUCKLAND DEFEATED. WHANGAREI, July 8. The Indian hockey team to-day defeated the North Auckland representatives by nine goals to one at Kensington Park. The attendance numbered over 3000, and the ground was in perfect condition. At halftime the Indians led by four goals to nil. The initial score was by Dhian Chand, who scored in the first few minutes. After this North Auckland showed to better advantage, but weak circle work lost many opportunities. Dhian Chand added three more goals to the Indians' tally before, half-time. Immediately the game resumed Dhain Chand added his fifth goal. Han‘nan then dribbled through and shot iWhangarei’s first and only goal. The game then became more even, the North Auckland defence being sound. A quarter of an hour elapsed before the next score, which was made by Bellchamber. Dhain Chand scored his sixth goal very soon afterwards. His next goal was the best of the afternoon. He was playing an inspired game, and just before time shot his eighth goal. The anticipations of a runaway game were quickly dispelled, as North Auckland showed surprising form. The local players were, however, frequently nonplussed by the jugglery of the Indians, Who played with great vim. Some most exciting minutes were spent in front of both goals, the Indians on occasions being fully extended in defence. Towards the end of the game the Indians had matters well in hand, and the local team was kept hard at work. The play throughout was of a very fast nature. Dhian Chand was superb in the circle, but seldom had chances in the close play. The North Auckland backs resorted to hard-hitting, and more than held their own in the second half. Wyatt, the goalie, and Bongard (half) were prominent in the backs, and Soertz played a fine forward game. SECOND TEST MATCH. AUCKLAND, July 10. A scintillating display of fast and brilliant hockey characterised the second test match this afternoon between the Indian Army hockey team and New Zealand. Amid frantic excitement New Zealand scored the first goal, and went on to make the score four to one at half-time. Then in the second spell the Indian Army team playing stubbornly in defence and. exerting every ounce of energy and sikll in attack, scored two more goals, making the tally four to three in favour of New Zealand. The closing stages were brimful of excitement, the Indian Army penning New Zealand within the circle and missing by only the narrowest of margins. Finally New Zealand swept upfield and the last bell was sounded, leaving them victors by a one goal margin. The air resounded with cheers. Clive Watts and Eric Watts, of Auckland, who are brothers, scored two goals each for New Zealand, and Captain Bellchamber scored all three goals for the Indian Army. The great goal-keeping of Fletcher (Waikato) was a feature of the match, while the interception of the New Zealand half line was very fine. Dhian Chand, the wizard centre-for-ward of the visiting team, was as closely watched by M'Leod as a cat watches a mouse, and he could do little else but endeavour to make openings for his colleagues. At least one of the visitors’ goals was directly traceable to his play. Within the first minute of play M J Leod made a good opening, and Hookham took the ball up on the right wing and from his centre E. Watts scored, but the goal was disallowed through sticks. A further New Zealand rush, with the Watts brothers prominent, saw E. Watts score. A series of rushes by the Indians followed, Mahoney eventually clearing. Hookham took up the running and gained ground, but was stopped by Dhian Singh. The Indians attacked, Dhian Chand putting in a hard shot which Fletcher kicked clear. Dhian Chand had another shot, but Fletcher stopped it again. Mahoney initiated a New Zealand attack which Hookham improved upon, and from his centre hit E. Watts scored. Clever play by E. Burton and C. Watts resulted in another goal being scored by the latter. Fine concerted play by the Indians saw Suainathan take the ball into the centre, and from his pass Captain Bellchamber scored. Further Indian attacks were repulsed, and eventually M‘Leod initiated a sweeping New Zealand movement, and thrilling moments followed in the Indian Army circle. Ghulan Ali stopped four hard shots one after another before C. Watts put a clinking shot past him into the goal. The score at half-time was: The first incident of note in the second half was a great run by Dhian Chand, whose shot was blocked by Soper on the circle’s edge. A further spirited rush by the Indians, in which Captain Bellchamber and Dhian Chand figured, was effectively countered. Dhian Chand had two shots in succession, Fletcher stopping both. New Zealand rushed up field, and C. Watts had a shot, but it went over the top of the goal. Singhara Singh, the Indian Army’s right wing, made a beautiful run from liis own twenty-five, and took the ball into the centre, his shot being stopped by Fletcher, but from the rebound Captain Bellchamber scored. Almost immediately Captain Bellchamber put a shot outside the net, and then Captain Cox goaled, but was ruled offside. The Indian Army kept up the pressure, and Dhian Chand made an opening for Captain Bellchamber to score a fine angle goal. The Indian Army team made further attacks without result, and then New Zealand rallied to the offensive and kept out further attacks, time being called without further Score. This is the first defeat the Indian Army team has suffered on its Australian and New Zealand tour. E. Watts and M'Leod, of New Zealand, were laid out with injuries, but were able to continue play. LOCAL MATCHES. The following are the results of hockey matches played on Saturday:— University 2 goals, Technical nil.

LADIES’ GAMES. A Grade. Otago 3 goals, Technical Old Girls 1 goal. v , Momona 1 goal. University 1 gpal. B Grade. Kaikorai II 1 goal, Technical Old Girls nil. Triangle 3 goals, Kaikorai B I I goal. Otago H 4 goals, Triangle HI nil. Training College 6 goals. Technical Old Girls 1 goal. WELLINGTON GAMES. WELLINGTON, June 11. Wesley 3 goals, University 3 goals. Wakatu 3 goals, Karori 2 goals. Hutt 4 goals, Wellington 1 goal. INDIAN TOUR SUCCESSFUL. AUCKLAND, July 5. The officers of the Indian Army hockey team were entertained at dinner by the Auckland Hockey Association on Saturday night. Replying to the toast of their health, Captain Cowan said that it was only reasonable that a touring team should have superior combination. The afternoon’s score did not indicate that Auckland was lagging behind the other centres. The home team’s play In many respects was superior to the hockey in other parts of New Zealand. Mr Quartermain, of the New Zealand Association, referred to the great assistance given in looking after the Indian players and the fine co-operation of the affiliated associations. The tour was already a financial success. The New Zealand Association was funding its 10 per cent, of the takings to bring out overseas teams. All the guarantors would get 20s back. If finance could be arranged, it was quite on the cards that an English team would be invited in 1928.. THIRD TEST DECIDED ON. AUCKLAND, July 7. At a meeting of the Auckland Hockey Association last night which Mr P. M. Quartermain, an executive officer ot the New Zealand Hockey Association, attended, it was definitely decided to play a third test match between the Indian Army team and New Zealand in Auckland on July 17. Messrs Norton and Hatch were appointed referees for the match. The Canterbury Association advised that its union team would be unable to play the Auckland juniors on Saturday owing to the impossibility of sending a team on account of the prevalence of influenza. OTAGO LADIES’ ASSOCIATION. The weekly meeting of the Otago Ladies’ Hockey Association was held on July 5 when there were present Mrs G. A.* Nelson (in the chair), Misses White, Campbell, Loudon, Wallace, Hill, Adams, and Mr A. W. Tucker. A letter was received from the Watea Club statinp*that it was holding a social, and dance m July 22 in aid of funds for sending a team to the Dominion tournament. The Secretary of the Maniototo Ladies Hockey Sub-association wrote asking for an opinion < n what should be done in the matter of a match having been played where the second spell had been cut down by five minutes by the timekeeper.—lt was decided that the match was ended when the referee blew his whistle, the referee being in full control of the game. It was decided that the Men’s Hockey Association be written to asking that players should not use the ladies’ grounds on the Oval for practice. The following is the draw for the second round of matche- in the second section of the B Grade:— July 17. —Kaikorai II v. Training College II; Triangle II v. Momona; Triangle 111 v. Technical Old Girls II; Otago 11, a bye. July 24.—Kaikorai II v. Triangle III; Otago II v. Momona; Triangle II v. Training College II; Technical Old Girls 11, a bye. July 31. —Kaikorai II v. Triangle II; Momona v. Technical Old Girls II; Otago II v. Training College II; Triangle 111, 'a bye. August 7. —Technical Old Girls II v. Training College II; Momona v. Triangle III; Otago II v. Triangle II; Kaikorai 11, a bye. August 14.—Kaikorai II v. Otago II; Training College II v. Triangle III; Technical Old Girls II v. Triangle II; Momona, a bye. August 21.—Kaikorai II v. Momona; Triangle 111 v. Triangle II; Technical Old Girls II v. Otago II; Training College, a bye. DOMINION LADIES’ TOURNAMENT. WELLINGTON, July 9. The LadieS’ Hockey Association has decided to hold a champion tournament at Invercargill, beginning on August 28. This is the first occasion on which Invercargill has been chosen, although it has provided the premier team for three years. An invitation to send a team to compete at the West Australian carnival next year was declined on financial grounds'. On the other hand, the Australians could not send a team to New Zealand because they had to receive an English side, so they were invited to come in 1928. Also, for financial reasons, the invitation to send a team to England had to be declined. Efforts will be made, however, to get the English ladies visiting Australia next year to come to New Zealand.