THIRD TEST WON BY INDIANS

Southland Times, Issue 23599, 29 August 1938, Page 11

THIRD TEST WON BY INDIANS

N.Z. FORWARDS FAIL TO COMBINE

GAME PLAYED ON SODDEN GROUND (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 27. In the third Test at Eden Paik the Indian hockey team beat New Zealand by three goals to one after a fairly even struggle. The game was played in continuous rain on a sodden ground, and many movements were marred by the treacherous conditions. The attendance was only about 4000. Play was even in the first half, although the Indian forwards showed greater skill and understanding and looked the more dangerous. New Zealand had several penalty corners- Fernandez lost a penalty bully against Jones, but the first score was not until close on half-time. Shortly after the resumption, Roughton lost a penalty bully against, Gurnerain Singh. The Indians pressed hard, Hart stopping well. New Zealand returned for Watson to score from a penalty comer. Manavadar then took the advantage and scored twice more, once from a penalty corner. The chief feature of the second half was the outstanding work done by Hart, the New Zealand goal-keeper. A much stronger forward line was fielded by the Indian team than against Auckland. Abdul Latif showed brilliant stick work and ball control under most unfavourable conditions and was the real leader of the forwards.

The wings, Shahabuddin and Fernandez, both gave excellent displays of speed and cleverness. All the halves played well, with Shahnoor Khan being outstanding. Hussain could not play, but Fasahat Yar Khan was in his place and was exceptionally sound. Apart from Hart, there were few outstanding players for New Zealand. A fine game was played by Jones, right full-back. Loader and Watson were the best of the halves, but lack of combination among the forwards spoiled many attacks. Roughton and Browne went well, but the opposing defence was too good to allow the forwards much freedom. The Indians were still superior in stick work, but New Zealand adapted itself well to the visitors’ type of game.

BETTER HOCKEY PLAYED BY N.Z. TEAMS

(United Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 28.

“I wish on this occasion that our generous benefactor, the Prince of Manavadar, were here," said Professor Jagan Nath at a farewell dinner given to the Indian hockey team, “to hear the excellent report on his team.” The objectives he had had in view in accepting the invitation to send a team had been fulfilled. Hockey had been passed on by the British to the Indians, and the Indians having made the game their own desired to pass it on to other countries. So far as he had seen, the game of hockey in New Zealand had improved infinitely during the past three years. As he could judge from reports he had received from former touring teams, in every side there was some outstanding player, or more than one. who played after the style of the Indians. The fact that Auckland had beaten them showed that the standard was high. In recommending that New Zealand should strive to set up hockey as a summer sport, the professor said he had already heard of teams that were going to try this innovation.

NORDEN CUP MATCH FEUDING DEFEATED BY WANGANUI (United Press Association) WANGANUI, August 28. A Norden Cup hockey match was played here yesterday between Feilding, the challengers, and Wanganui. It resulted in a win for Wanganui by eight goals to two. The winning team had more cooperation, Feilding’s efforts being individualistic. TWO FRIENDLY MATCHES PLAYED In the absence of the selector (Mr E. G. Pankhurst), and the referees, the men’s hockey trial teams arranged for Saturday played a friendly match at Queen’s Park. No time limits were observed and the match developed into a scramble. INTERMEDIATE GRADE High School defaulted to Technical in the intermediate grade. Collegiate which had a bye in the competition, played a friendly match with Technical, winning by four goals to nil. The game was not of a high standard. Mason (2), Crawford and Booth scored for Collegiate. Because of the school holidays, no games were played in the junior grade.