HOCKEY

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 56

HOCKEY

SOUTHLAND TEAMS DEFEATED. THE SEASON CLOSED. Saturday marked the close of the 1930 hockey season in Dunedin, the final matches being played between senior and junior teams representing Otago and Southland. JUNIOR MATCH. The weather conditions and the ground at the Oval were both perfect when the two junior teams met. The following are the names of the players:— Southland: V. Taylor, S. Heaton, J Gee, R. Boyd, K. Hamilton, C. Hodgson, R. Shields, W. Spence, J. Wren, W. Stirling, S. Smith.

Otago; Cole, Grant, Kilpatrick, Bond. M‘Haffie, H. Day, Fisher, Roberts,. W. Hanning, Griffen, Ewart.

The game was an extremely interesting one throughout, and, despite the wide margin between the scores, Otago winning by seven goals to one, the home side did not have its own way all the time. Actually, the Otago players were scoring betted than Southland, but the latter team had its share of the ball and, at times, the Otago defence was sorely tried to keep its goal clear. During the first spell, Day and Hanning scored-for Otago, and the score at half time was two goals to nil in favour of Otago. Early in the second spell, however, Southland put in an excellent piece of play which resulted in Wren scoring for Southland. The second spell saw Otago have a greater share of the attack, and Hanning, Roberts, Griffen, and Day scored, Roberts netting twice. The game ended with the scores:—

Otago .. 7 goals. Southland 1 goal. Messrs W. M'Queen and H. F. Payton were referees. SENIORS VICTORIOUS. The Otago senior team did not have very much difficulty in defeating the Southland seniors by the very comfortable margin of nine goals to nil. The game was marred in the latter stages by a heavy shower of rain, but the previous fine weather had left the ground in good order, and the play was fast and interesting. The teams were as follow:—

Southland: V. Poole, D. Deacon, J. Morgan, G. Hope, H. Lindsay, H. Fraser, W. Bissett, R. Boyd, R. M'Kelvey, M. Roberts, H. Donaldson.

Otago: G. Mackay, C. Whitburn, C. Belfield, J. Harris, D. Gurr, A. Jennings. R. Fiedler, E. Rennick. M. Bav, A. Baxter, 11. M'Clatchy. Otago won the opening bully, and went straight through for Bay to score inside the first moment of play. Otago 1 goal, Southland nil. Southland attacked, and the forwards went through to Otago’s circle, but the ball was cleared at the expense of a corner. Southland con tinued to press and gained another fruitless corner and a twenty-five. Otago again attacked, and play went to South land’s circle, only to -be returned. -A spell of up and down play followed Southland gained a corner, but the ball was returned to midfield. The South land forwards were battling hard, but the Otago defence was stubborn. Otago attacked, and Harris had a shot, but the ball went over the net. The Otago forwards refused to be driven back, however, and Rennick returned almost immediately and scored. Otago 2 goals. Southland nil. From the bully, the Southland forwards went away with the ball, but it was returned by 'the Otago full-backs, and Baxter sent in a good shot. Otago 3 goals, Southland nil. Otago again attacked, and Rennick had a shot which was well stopped by the goalkeeper. Otago kept Southland penned in their own territory for some time, and eventually Bav sent in another scoring shot. Otago 4 goals, Southland nil. The next Otago sally was spoiled by offside play, but the forwards returned for a corner. Otago was pressing all the time, and Rennick had another shot which failed to score. Play remained in the neighbourhood of Southland’s circle for some time, and Baxter sent in a good shot. Otago 5 goals. Southland nil. Just before half time Southland sent away a strong attack, but the Otago backs were safe, and the ball was returned to Southland’s circle, where, after some hard play, Baxter put his side further in the lead. Otago 6 goals, Southland nil.

On resumption of play Southland set up an attack, and M‘Kelvey and Donaldson took the ball through and had bad luck in failing to score. Southland returned, but Jlissett’s shot went wide. The Otago forwards then got away in a fast rush, and Bay had a shot at goal, but the ball was stopped. (Southland then came away, but Jennings saved and sent Bay away. There followed a spell of up and down play. Eventually M’Clatchy obtained possession and had a shot at goal, but the ball was kicked out. Baxter, in trying to stop it, gave sticks, and Southland was given an opportunity to transfer play to the other end. They could not score, however, and. the ball travelled up and down the field for some time. The Otago forwards then got possession and went 'right through for Bay to score. Otago 7 goals, South land nil. Otago kept ~up the pressure and Rennick scored soon afterwards Otago 8 goals, Southland nil. The South land forwards then went away in a nice

movement which was well cleared by Belfield. In the last few moments Otago returned and gained a penalty bully, from which Bay scored. The game finished immediately after with the scores:— Otago 9 goals. Southland Nil. Messrs T. Mitchell and C. Sew Hoy were referees.

VISITORS ENTERTAINED. After the matches the visiting teamq were entertained at the Savoy at dinner, the president of the Otago Hockey Association (Mr J. Hogg) presiding. .The chairman of the executive com-: mittee (Mr A. Hinton) welcomed Mr Hogg to the first, official gathering since his return to Dunedin after a trip abroad. t . Mr Hogg, in proposing the toast of .The Southland Men’s Hockey Association, .said that this was the first official gathering in Dunedin of representatives of the two associations since pre-war days. He referred at some length to the game played in Dunedin and Invercargill pouuy years ago, and gave some interesting details of matches played between teams from the two associations. At present, he said, the prospects of the game both in Dunedin and in Invercargill appeared to be excellent. He hoped the new Southland Association would progress tapidly and would be able to have two grades next season. Reference was made to the proposal to have an Indian Army hockey team tour New Zealand in 1932, arid Mr Hogg said he was sure that the New Zealand Association would do its best to have a game arranged for Invercargill. The past season had been a very successful one.

The manager of the Southland team (Mr S. Smith) replied. It was very pleasing, he said, to jsee Mr Hogg back again and faking an active interest in the affairs of the game. The Southland plavers, in his opinion, had been privileged in coming to Dunedin to play. They were in the position of pupils, with the Otago players as teachers, and they were out to. learn alLthey could. Otago had maintained a very high standard of hockey, and he was sure that in a very few years’ time Southland would have progressed far and might be able to defeat the present conquerors. Several other toasts were honoured. PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES.

The close of the season was recognised by an enjoyable social function in the Embassy Salon, the greater part of the evening being taken up with dancing. During the evening the president of the Otago Hockey Association (Mr Hogg) presented the trophies won during the season, congratulating the successful players while doing so. The trophies were distributed as follows :—

Gilray Cup (senior championship) ; Albany.

Williamson Cup (junior championship) : High School Old Boys. Hayward Cup (senior seven-a-side championship) : Technical Old Boys. Moller Cup (junior seven-a-side championship) : University. Gymnastic Memorial Cup (Third Grade championship) : Caversham Presbyterians.

The players who had won representative honours during the season were also presented with representative caps.