HOCKEY TEST WIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19697, 1 August 1938, Page 12

HOCKEY TEST WIN

NEW ZEALAND DEFEATED INDIANS' SUPERIORITY MAROIN OF TOUR COALS HOME SIDE r.M PR OVER (For Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. From the spectators' point of view, the second hockey test match between the Manavadar State Indian team and New Zealand, at the Basin Reserve. Wellington, on Saturday, was disappointing. The more; experienced Indian players had little difficulty in winning by four goals to nil. The New Zealand team played well, and it was probably its excellent performance that prevented the Indians from making the game as spectacular as the one in which they played Wellington. The visiting team did not play up to the standard it showed in the match against Wellington. The Indians had a keen sense of anticipation and their passing was good. New -Zealand was inclined to pass without first making sure that there was a player ready to receive the ball. The ground was still a little heavy after recent rain, and this did not permit the Indians to give of their best. In the .second half the ground 'was inclined to be rough. The New Zealand team showed that it had gained experience from the play of the visiting team, and its stickwork was an improvement on that of previous New Zealand teams. The Indians made use of push shots and back passes with advantage. New Zealand had difficulty in finishing oil' its movements. The ball wotdd be taken right into the circle and then the shot at goal missed. Some of the players, after taking the ball right up from half-way, would let it go over the back line. Watchman's Good Play The splendid goal keeping of L. Hart, Manawatu, was a feature of the match. Time and again he saved. He was well supported by the fullbacks, who played a good game, keeping well upfield and catching the Indians offside. These tactics were also used by the Indians. D. Loader, New Zealand centre-half, fed his forwards well, and was always ready io defend. The former Wellington player, now living in Poverty Bay, R. Watchman, at inside right played a sound game, and initiated several attacking movements. The Indians were unlucky to be without Feroz Khan, who was suffering from a strained leg muscle. Sultan Khan, who has also had a strained leg muscle, played left inside, but he appeared to be still suffering from his injury and did not show the brilliance he did when he played against Wellington. The captain of the Indians, S. M. Hussain, at left fullback, played an excellent game and spoiled many promising New Zealand movements. Ahmad Khan, centre forward, and Shahabuddin, right wing, also were prominent on attack. The Teams The teams were:— India. —Goal, B. Abrahams; backs. S. M. Hussain. captain, and Gurnarain Singh: half-backs. Lajpat Rai, Shanhoor Khan, and Shafal Khan: forwards, P. Fernandez, M. Sultan Khan. Ahmad Khan. Abdul Latif, and Shahabuddin, vice-captain. New Zealand—Goal, L. Hart. Manawatu; backs, H. .Tones. Auckland, and F. S. Chirk, Auckland, captain; halfbacks. W. J. Bowden. Canterbury, vice-captain, D. Loader, Canterbury, and L. Watson, Auckland; forwards, G. Bolting, .Otago, M. Browne, Wellington, R. Roughton, Auckland, R.' Watchman. Poverty Bay. N. Bowden, Canterbury. The scorers were Ahmad Khan. Sultan Khan, and Shahabuddin (2). India soon had play in New Zealand territory after the initial bully, but New Zealand defended well and reversed play to the Indian circle, where N. Bowden, the New Zealand wing, sent in a wild shot. Brilliant Save India came away smartly and attacked strongly down the right wing, but a brilliant save by Hart, the New Zealand goalkeeper, cleared. Hart was prominent a little later when he had to take a penalty bully, and again saved nicely. India headed the scoring after some nine minutes' play when, following a good movement on the right ring, M. Sultan Khan shot a fast angle goal. India . . . • • • . . 1 New Zealand .. .. 0 The New Zealand forwards initialed a sharp run into Indian terr'i-

lory, but "sticks" spoilt the play •India had >the New Zealand defence in difficulty attain, but Hart was equal in the danker and cleared well. After some micl-lield play the Now Zealand forwards advanced strongly to she India'.' circle, but a shot -by G. Holding wen! nut side the post. A Free Hit The Indian forwards combined in a sobd run that threatened the New Zealand goal, but Mari again saved -marlly. A long hi! down the left side-line saw Gurnarain Singh and Bolting fighting for possession, but a free hit reversed play and the Indians again came down, on the New Zealand goal, but Hart came out and met the play and cleared a moment later. India again attacked and M. Sultan Khan was successful in again getting the ball past Hart. New Zealand retaliated strongly and a strong' centring shot by Bowden started a tussle in front of the Indian goal, but although it seemed that a Now Zealand score was imminent. the Indian defence was too sound. Another run by the Indians saw a high shot go over the top of the goal. The half-time score was:— India ■ • . . 2 New Zealand . . . . 0 Soon after the start of the second ;pell play was curried to the New •tea land drew, whore India was twarded a pcntlty bully, and Shababuddin beau Han. making the score: India . . ■ • 3 New Zealand .. .. 0 The Indian forwards, who were combining excellently, soon returned play to the New Zealand half. Fernandez ran strongly down the left wing, but the ball sailed over the New Zealand goal-line and New Zealand cleared. « From the resulting corner. New Zealand attacked strongly and Tor some time kept India penned in their 25. but all attempts at netting failed, the Indian full-backs playing soundly. Fernandez went well down the left

..vint; ill another run, but Jlari again cleared successfully. New Zealand pressed hard down l heir right wing, but the attack was repelled by India, who transferred play back to the New Zealand circle, where a shot at goal by Abdul Latif failed. Play now became exceedingly fast, and New Zealand displayed greater initiative and spirit, but India still retained the upper hand and had the better of the game. Abdul Latif. running strongly down the right sideline, beat several opponents and sent in a shot that gave Hart little chance. India 4 New Zealand . . . . 0 New Zealand warmly swung play to the Indian goal, but fine defence saved India again. New Zealand were attacking in determined fashion when the game ended: — India 4 New Zealand . • . . 0

TEAM'S GREAT RECORD

TOTAL OF 133 COALS The Indian team has played 20 matches in New Zealand without losing any and has scored 133 goals. There have been eight goals scored againts them. Results of their matches to date are as follows:

New Zealand has never been outclassed by Indian sides, as an examination of the records will show. Tn 192 ii they lost the first test in Christchurch by five goals to two, but they went to Auckland to square the rubber, winning four-three after having a lead of 4—l at half-time. The third test was drawn. In 1935 India sent a team winch would rank with he:' best, and New Zealand lost all three games, the first by four goals to two, the second by three goals to two, and the third at Auckland by seven goals to one.

Goals F. A. v. Wairarapa l > () v. Bush Union 3 1 v. Manawatu '1 " v. Wanganui 4 *■' v. North Taranaki 5 1 v. South Taranaki 0 1 v. Wellington 12 0 v. Nelson 7 1 v. West Coast .. 11 0 v. Canterbury 4 0 v. Ashburton 15 0 v. South Canterbury .... 2 0 v. New Zealand 'Varsities 2 1 v. North Otago 9 1 v. Eastern 11 0 v. Southland 8 0 v, Otago 5 1 v. New Zealand (1st Test) 5 1 v. Feilding 10 0 v. New Zealand (2nd Test) 4 0