PLUCKY FIGHT

Southland Times, Issue 25313, 17 June 1935, Page 8

PLUCKY FIGHT

SOUTHLAND ELEVEN TEAM WORK OF VISITORS RUP SINGH OUTSTANDING The reputation which the Indians have won in the Dominion by their sweeping victories caused many to anticipate seeing Southland in the coils of a python which, while constricting the Maroon attack, would with lightning rapidity and sure aim repeatedly send venomous shots into the net. Had the Indians been on their own soil no doubt they would have made the Maroons look as helpless as the victim of one of these giant serpents; but the vast difference between the hard, board-like surfaces of their own country and the heavy turf on Rugby Park robbed the visitors of much of their deadliness and the game of the brilliance which otherwise would have thrilled spectators. When the weather which was experienced earlier in the week is considered, it must be admitted that Rugby Park was in surprisingly good order. For a football match it was excellent, but for such artists with a hockey stick as Dhyan Chand, Rup Singh, Shahbuddin and their colleagues the luxuriant growth ol grass was a serious handicap. They found that that delicacy of touch propuced poor results on such a ground; painting with a heavy brush was much more effective. There were times when the artistry of the Indians rose superior to the conditions, and ' caused a feeling akin to exaltation to electrify the crowd; but for the greater part of the game the visitors appealed rather by their team-work than their brilliance. Should the point be raised that such a world-famous team as the Indians should be able to overcome conditions, the answer may readily be given that so far as results are concerned they did. A Southland side Which proved itself a sound and energetic combination was beaten by the convincing score of 13 goals to 1. If from a spectacular point • of view the game fell below expectations it was the heavy turf and not the visitors on which the blame must be laid. To wield a hockey stick as a cricket bat merely for propelling the ball upfield requires a firm wrist and a sure eye—but no more; to use it with such turns of the wrist, such legerdemain and such balance that the ball seems to be mesmerized into doing the bidding of the artist manipulating the stick is hockey in excelsis, and for such an exhibition the ground should be as much like a billiard table as possible. This should be remembered when disappointment is expressed that Dhyan Chand did not appear in the role of “human eel” and the rest of the team as wizards. Their exhibition may not have been scintillating, but it was a lesson in positional play, complete confidence in one’s colleagues, strategy and sportsmanship. Southland’s Good Start. It took the visitors nearly a quarter of an hour to get acclimatized and to the delight of the onlookers the Maroons’ aggressiveness enabled them to draw first blood, Hughes scoring from a scramble in front of the Indians’ goal. This success did not encourage in spectators the belief that Southland might win, but it certainly had an encouraging effect on the Maroons whose display made it evident that their victory over Otago was not in the nature of a fluke. Although for the remainder of the match they failed to pierce the visitors’ defence, they were on a number of occasions within striking distance, only good saves by the goalie preventing an accretion to the Maroon tally. In defence they were resolute, although at times it was evident that the speed with which they tackled was retarded by the fear that they would be made to look foolish, by the tricks of the visitors. The half-time score was 6-1 in the Indians’ favour, most of their effective attacks having been launched on the wings. For the first ten minutes of the second spell Southland held them well but in the closing stages the Indians warmed to their work and gave a taste of their best form, goals coming freely. The Maroons were still resisting stoutly but for the last ten minutes the Indians were in such complete control that speculations became rife as to what the final tally would be. To restrict it to the “Devil’s number” was creditable to the Maroons in general and to their goalkeeper, Taylor, in particular. In the first spell he was not so happy, as was evident from his scratching of his poll as shots found their way past him. But he did valiant work after the interval. Brown also did much good work in the second spell, while Dakin used his head, perhaps to greater advantage than his stick. Hughes was the pick of the Southland forwards, his dash and control of the ball often taking him close to the circle. Shields also showed up at times, particulaly in the early part of the game. Rup Singh was the bright star in the Indian front line, with Shahbuddin and Wells next in order of brilliance. Dhyan Chand was perhaps not favoured with the run of play but did not seem very eager to figure in the dazzling runs for which he is famous. He experienced a difficulty in keeping his feet, there being times when he had no sooner raised high hopes than he slipped. Rup'Singh, however, upheld the family prestige by his display, the manner in which he threaded his way through the opposition being a revelation in the efficacy of stick work in penetration. He was the gay cavalier of the team, a smile being almost perpetually on his face. Shahbuddin also found favour with the crowd by his dash and finesse, while Wells

was very sure and energetic. The halfline showed a perfect understanding with their forwards and was as effective on attack as defence. The fullbacks had a fairly easy time but the goalie, Mukerjee was called on to stop some fast shots which he did in a busi-ness-like way. He was by no means a stay-at-home keeper, frequently going well out to meet an attack. On such occasions one of the full-backs took up his place at the net. As a curtain-raiser the Eastern and Southland women’s teams met _ on number two ground, the champions (Eastern) winning by 7 goals to' nil. The Caledonian Pipe Band added to the enjoyment of a memorable afternoon by a number of selections and by playing the teams on to the field. A collection taken up during the interval of the principal match in aid of the Indian earthquake relief funds realized £l5. The teams, which were loudly applauded as they took the field, were as follows:— ALL INDIA. (Light and Dark Blue.) N. Mukerjee Rashmid Ahmed M. D. Hussain M. J. Gopalan M. N. Masud Md. Naim Shahbuddin Dhyan Chand P. Fernandez F. Wells Rup Singh SOUTHLAND. (Maroon.) V. Taylor R. Jenkins E. Brown W. Semmens A. Dakin W. Barraclough H. Rennick J. Paterson L. Souness t G. Hughes R. Shields The dangerous scoring machine of the Indians failed to get into action in the early stages for the Southland forwards, by hard hitting tactics, entered their opponents’ 25 amid excitement. A scoop shot by Shields, who received from Souness, saw the Maroons approach closer, but Rashmid Ahmed repulsed the movement. Then the visitors initiated a bright rush only to spoil their effort by a series of infringements. Wells, shewing glimpses of dash, broke away from halfway, where solid defensive work by Dakin and- Barraclough had confined the play. Brown cleared confidently and Dakin let his forwards away. They bustled through the defence and Mukerjee saved a shot from Paterson’s stick. The Indian goalie ran out to save in the face of a combined rush almost immediately afterwards. A melee took place in the circle and Hughes was roundly applauded when he managed to find the net to give Southland the first goal of the match. Southland 1, All-India 0. The visitors were obviously being worried by the turfy nature of the ground and there had been no “fireworks” about their display up to this stage. Dakin fought quite a lengthy duel in midfield with Dyhan Chand, whom he was marking closely, and the Southlander, amid applause and not a little amusement, collected the honours. The Southland vanguard, heartened by drawing first blood, were in aggressive mood and forced the visitors to defend stoutly for several minutes. Then came really the first thrill of the game when Rup Singh, in a spectacular.flank dash, gained ground on the left wing and, in effortless style, sent across a beautiful centre. Dhyan Chand and Wells, combining excellently, carried on the pretty movement, Wells equalizing with a hot shot. Southland 1, All-India 1. Short passing by the Indian vanguard Southland in trouble, Jenkins finally bringing relief in the face of a dangerous looking attack. Rennick became troublesome on the right wing but a snake-like dart by Hussain saw the maroons sent back to halfway once again. Southland were fighting their brilliant opponents all the way and certainly did not willingly present them with a passport into their territory. Shahabuddin had the crowd on their toes when, showing amazing ballcontrol and a good reserve of speed, he took command along the right flank and came in to the circle. Taylor rushed out and booted clear. The right wing again broke clean away with his stick keeping the ball in the air. Then with a half volley shot he centred, but “sticks” by Wells gave relief to the maroons. The Indians were now getting into their stride better and Wells, by a clever feint, drew the opposing backs to give Dhyan Chand a splendid chance but the captain’s shot went over the top. From the 25 yards’ bully Paterson and Shield raced through. Rashmid Ahmed was equal to the occasion, however, and the right full-back again extricated his side from trouble shortly afterwards when Rennick entered the circle. Wells, juggling the ball on his stick, came away with Fernandez in support and, through a misunderstanding between Brown and the maroon custodian, Wells had almost an open goalmouth, but he missed the golden opportunity. Shields and Sounness, receiving from Semmens, set up a counter-attack. Mukerjee, showing admirable judgment and enterprise, threw himself lengthwise on the ground to protect his goalmouth and effected a good save. Then Dhyan Chand demonstrated his remarkable agility and beautiful stick work in dribbling past both the Southland fullbacks and the goalie but he was given offside and the goal was disallowed. Scarcely had Jenkins, Brown and Taylor recovered from the amazing shock (clearly writ upon their faces) of having been tricked in such an easy fashion, than came further challenges. Taylor won applause when he kicked clear but, frpm a comer shortly afterwards, Rup Singh scored a glorious goal. All India 2, Southland 1. Masud, Gopalan and Naim were now showing machine-like activity in the half line and the positional play of the visitors was both an inspiration and a revelation. A half never once looked to see if his wing or inner or fullback, as the case might be, was in position

to receive a pass; instinct told him he would be there as a cog in a machine which, from now on, began to function in the smoothest manner imaginable. Fernandez, Wells and Rup Singh, with little flicked passes achieved by amazing accuracy, raced through the defence. Dakin,, and then Barraclough, held the Indians temporarily until Rup Singh, after a brilliant exhibition of reverse passing, finished off a bright effort by finding the net. All-India 3, Southland 1. Indians Take Charge. From the bully, Chand broke clean away, but his stinging shot just missed. Then the captain indulged in a game of “cat and mice” with the Southland [fullbacks and the goalie who were still [fruitlessly endeavouring to scratch the | ball out from the goalmouth 'after it had been tapped through split seconds beforehand. All-India 4, Southland 1. From the bully Fernandez penetrated the defence and tricked Taylor to goal easily. All-India 5, Southland 1. Dakin sent the ball out to the left but Masud was safe. Chand was penalized for offside play and, Sounness, gaining possession, covered much ground before passing to Shields to Hughes. Mukerjee ran out to the edge of the circle and Hussain, showing a perfect understanding, took his place. Hughes shot hard but just missed and the visitors conceded a comer. Brown figured prominently in some sound defensive play in the face of brilliantly executed attacking movements by the visitors and play was held up owing to his being temporarily injured. The activities of Dhyan Chand were being curbed by the bustling tactics of the maroon rearguard and, at times, he was forced to wait somewhat impotently in the middle of the ground while his wings and backs were trying hard to get the ball to him and so let him swing his scoring machine 'into action. Finally, Shahbuddin, to whom rown had been a fairly sharp thorn, caught the defence out of position and, with Wells in close support, dashed through to goal. All-India 6, Southland 1. From the bully, Southland launched an attack but Fernandez quickly changed the scene of play. The visitors looked dangerous but Dakin, with a clever use of the scoop shot, sent to Sounness who gained ground on the left wing. Mukerjee, however, showing excellent judgment, ran right out to the 25 and cleared. The maroons were endeavouring, but without result, to find weaknesses in the solid wall of the Indian defence when half-time sounded. A Southland Thrust On the re-commencement of play, the Indians, adopting a somewhat harder style of hitting, assumed the offensive only to find Jenkins, Semmens and Brown solid in defence. Then Hughes, Paterson and Shields quickly changed the scene of play with a penetrating combined rush which took them right to their opponents’ circle. Here, however, Hussain, with a brilliant half volley, cleared powerfully. Reaching the circle again on a pass from Semmens, Hughes again looked dangerous but Gopalan came back quickly to save just in time. Bustling tactics by the maroon forwards saw them assume the offensive and Mukerjee ran out to clear a hot shot from Paterson’s stick. The masterly cohesion of the visiting combination in their team movements and the finesse of their play as individuals now again clearly demonstrated themselves and skill and science triumphed over the more orthodox methods employed by the maroons in their efforts to put a spoke in the Indians’ scoring machine. Tactics and strokes that are rarely seen, and certainly not exploited in the same decisive way in local hockey, delighted the spectators. A particularly attractive feature of the play of the visitors was their control over the ball when meeting with opposition. Practically all the time the ball was at the toe of the stick, which flicked from side to side rarely more than an inch or two from the ball. Recoveries, too, seemed to be made with the greatest of ease—just a lunge with the stick and the ball was again under control. Rup Singh and Dhyan Chand put their team on attack with a pretty piece of passing but Brown, somewhat luckily, connected well with a speculator and back play came to half way. Hughes broke away in a solo dash, but it was short-lived and then Shahbuddin, catching the maroon backs out of position, streaked right down the flank to finish off a bright effort by goaling. All-India 7, Southland 1. Almost immediately afterwards, Wells outwitted the defence with ease and scored an easy goal. All-India 8, Southland 1. Southland retaliated with a determined attack in which Hughes and Rennick were prominent. Clever passing by Rup Singh and Dhyan Chand outwitted the rearguard but Taylor booted clear. Again the maroon custodian won well-deserved applause when he saved in like fashion, as Wells came towards him. The Southland forwards were always quick to seize whatever opportunities did come their way and Mukerjee came right out to the edge of the circle when Paterson and Shields looked dangerous. Following a period of up and down play, Rup Singh, from his own 25, proved himself a wizard by carrying the ball upon his stick right through the defence to finally neatly fool Taylor and find the net with a lightning shot. All India 9, Southland 1. Taylor saved at the expense of a corner when Wells had a good scoring opportunity. The Maroon rearguard became thoroughly tested as the Indians made a grand assault on the Southland goalmouth. Taylor saved a stinging shot from Rup Singh’s stick. Chand then again demonstrated the technique of bouncing the ball in midair on his stick and he darted right through, from halfway to leave the Southland backs flatfooted. It was a brilliant effort culminating in a goal. All India 10, Southland 1. The Southland forwards were obtaining the ball from their halves on several occasions but, though they made openings, the defence was too safe. Chand made an electrifying dash towards the goalmouth. Taylor ran out to meet him but was beaten, Brown coming across just at the critical moment to save the situation. Shortly afterwards, however, the Indian captain, with a spectacular run, completely outwitted the opposition and netted a neat goal. All India 11, Southland 1. The Indians set up a series of attacks but Taylor shone out in effecting good saves in the face of a fusillade of shots. Dakin finally cleared but Rup Singh, in the brightest effort of the day, literally threaded his way through the Southland backs and scored a beautiful goal with the reverse stick. All India 12, Southland 1. The Indians attacked from the bully, their strategic movements and combination being inspiring to watch. Wells reached the circle and shot. Taylor cleared but Wells again recovered possession and made no mistake. All India 13, Southland 1. The visitors were still on the offensive when final time was called. Messrs H. S. Cordery and J. D. Gregg controlled the game. VISITORS ENTERTAINED. In the evening the visitors were the guests of the Southland Men’s Hockey Association at a dinner in the Rosewood Tearooms. A feature of the even-

ing was the happy state of informality that prevailed throughout. It was originally decided that no speeches whatever were to be delivered but a compromise was finally made and members of the various bodies represented spoke shortly. On behalf of the Southland Men’s Hockey Association Mr Gregg expressed his pleasure at the fine exhibition of hockey and also of sportsmanship given by the visitors, Mr Doctor, manager of the visiting team, replied. . A speech, strikingly frank and refreshing, was delivered by Mr Gupta, assistantmanager of the visiting team, who stressed the importance of good grounds. Mr H. Strang, representing the Southland Rugby Football Union, and Mr J. A. Doig also spoke.

Later the members of the team were guests of the Southland Women’s Hockey Association at a dance in Smith’s Hall.

At 10 a.m. yesterday the visitors left for Dunedin where they intend breaking their journey prior to playing at Ashburton on Wednesday and later at Christchurch. Many local players were in attendance despite the earliness of the hour, and the Indians were given a rousing send-off. CURTAIN-RAISER EASTERN WOMEN v. SOUTHLAND. VISITORS’ DECISIVE WIN.

For the first occasion during the past three years, a match was arranged in Invercargill as a curtain-raiser between the Eastern Southland women representatives (Dominion champions) and a Southland eleven, Eastern decisively asserting their supremacy by seven goals to nil. When these two rival teams met at the 1934 New Zealand tournament at Christchurch in the sectional final, Eastern gained the day by three goals to nil and then went ahead to capture the K Cup by defeating Marlborough by three goals to one. At Christchurch, however, the Maroons acquitted themselves with credit and no regrets could be felt at their performance against a team definitely their superiors; Eastern on Saturday had lost none of their brilliance, but the display given by Southland, both from team and individual viewpoints, could scarcely have been more disappointing. True it is that in the Eastern ranks were four players recently chosen to represent New Zealand in the tour of Australia, that the champion eleven had the invaluable advantage over their rivals of having played together for years and so built up a wonderful combination and a perfect understanding in their positional work (Southland, as a team, had not previously taken the field together before this game nor had the coach been able to assemble them for training purposes), that the early start of the game meant that several Maroons had to rush straight from their work to the ground—those, and half a dozen more excuses that might be added, could not possibly condone the fact that almost a majority of the team failed to approach even mediocre, let alone their best, club form. Many girls who impressed in club matches and even a few who had previously gained representative honours, gave a performance that many a younger and less experienced girl of promise could have eclipsed. It is in a representative match such as this was that the weaknesses not only of the team as a whole, but of the individual Maroon players stand oijt in bold relief for the guidance of the selector. At no stage did Southland take command on Saturday afternoon and the Maroons were outclassed in all departments by their opponents, who played with confidence throughout. On a few brighter occasions, I. Rewcastle, Mary Mclntyre and Edna Bell broke away, but they received little support from their halves. The Eastern defence was particularly sound and, though the Southland vanguard changed their tactics somewhat in the second spell and resorted to harder hitting instead of the short pass, such methods of attack proved fruitless against such safe backs as M. Sanson, A. McDonald, R. Mcßain and A. Stewart. . Southland Backs Weak. Olga McMillan, the Southland custodian, had plenty to do and brought off some clever saves, one, on her stick, being a brilliant effort. Two high shots netted by R. Mcßain and M. Sherriff respectively gave the goalie no possible chance of saving. The Maroon fullbacks were both capable of a much better performance. Certainly indifferent play by the halves at times —V. Robb was a notable exception—cast a heavier burden upon L. McNatty and J. Gray, but no excuse could be offered by them for their speculation and failure to frequently connect with the ball. Time and again V. Robb rushed back to retrieve the position and, but for her sound defensive play. Eastern’s tally would have been larger. Among the Southland backs, too, was a lack of understanding due, in the main, to the team not having previously played together. On at least half a dozen times two players endeavoured to clear the ball together instead of leaving it to one. B. McCallum and M. Gerken, who, with V. Robb, constituted the half-line, were reliable only in patches. Each quite often stemmed a dangerous rush, but each, just as often, by weak clearing, let the opposing forwards through. V. Robb, as has been mentioned, was the best Southland back in the game. B. McCallum steadied down better in the second spell and put in some sound defensive work as did M. Gerken in the tight play, but, as a unit, the half-line lacked cohesion and dependability. Most of the Southland attack came from I. Rewcastle, M. Mclntyre and E. Bell, who, considering they were not strongly supported by their halves, acquitted themselves well especially as th’ey were up against a very solid Eastern wall of defence. I. Rewcastle, except for a tendenev to give sticks—there were three breaches by her in this direction —adapted herself well to the left wing’s position and it was not her fault that several bursts down the flank did not prove more successful. Mary Mclntyre was always potentially dangerous, but tried to do too much and, in the last 10 minutes of the game, felt the effect of her hard work. Edna Bell worked hard throughout. She never shirked it and looked very like scoring on one occasion when she col- • lided with the Eastern goalie. M. Belsham gave an indifferent showing as right inner. I. Hagen, though getting her first taste of big hockey, did quite well on the right wing when, on the very few occasions, she received the ball. As for infringements—elementary breaches as they were—Southland repeatedly lost advantage through obstruction, “sticks” and so on. It would be perhaps invidious to single out for praise any particular Eastern girl. Each, from the captain (Mrs H. Reid) downward, was an experienced and clever individualist in a champion team. Play, however, in the main was of a somewhat ragged nature and there were few really bright combined movements, even by the Eastern forward line. ** Goals for the winners were scored by M. Sherriff (3), H. Reid (2) and J. biBain (2). The teams were as follows:— Eastern (mauve and white): A. O’Connor; A. McDonald, A. Stewart; F. Shuttleworth, N. Sanson, R. McßUin; M. Nichol, M. White, H. Reid (captain), M. Sherriff, J. Mcßain. Southland (maroon): O. McMillan; L. McNatty (captain), J. Gray; V. Robb, M. Gerken, B. McCallum; J. Hagen, M. Belsham, E. Bell, M. Mclntyre, I. Rewcastle. ; Messrs G. C. Hamilton and F. Hinton refereed the game.