HOCKEY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 38, 29 September 1911, Page 5

HOCKEY.

.. CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL. INGLEWOOD (87 v STRATFORD (2) / At Inglewood yesterday afternoon, in tho presence of a rather small attendance of the public, Inglewood and Stratford played off for the championship of Taranaki. Tho teams had met in the play-off previously, but bach side scored two goals, and extra time played did not result in further score. This was the first season in which Stratford had played-off for first position, and the team’s supporters thought it had a good chance of winning the championship; but on flie day’s play Inglewood was superior, and won by three goals to two. The teams wore as follows:—Stratford : Anderson (3), Malone, 0. Tocher, Evoriss (2), Griffin, Cameron, Dudson, Curtis. Inglewood: Harris ,3), Spurdlo, Priest, Welham, Ward, Allen, Curtis, Reid, Stevens. From the bully-off play went up and down tho field quickly, and twice Inglewood had hard luck in not scoring; out a good attack ended in Priest putting in a hot shot. Then Stratford rushed plaj T down to the other oiid, and Stevens,’ Inglewood’s \ fullback. had 49 sfiow all Jus. jsmartnesiy in 'stopping a shot which looked alnost unplayable. Play then went up md down the field, both sides spoiling good attacks by hitting too hard in tho field. From a corner hit Stratford looked like- scoring, but the defence was too solid. Just before half ime sounded Jack, Harris missed an asy goal. Inglewood opened the second spell nth a strong attack which culminat'd in Priest shooting another goal. After play had been in Inglewood’s quarters for some time, Inglewood iroke through to Stratford’s goal, where Priest again shot unsuccessfully. Then a nice concerted rush by Stratford resulted in a score for the visitors. Thereafter Stratford kept •flay for some time in the enemy’s territory, Malone missing a good chance with a wild hit when in the circle. Jim Harris shortly afterwards made tho host run of the day, •eking tho ball right up to Stratford’s fine, though no goal resulted. Stratford then worked play up to their opponents’ lino, hut it camo back again, md Jack Harris scored rather easily. After give-and-take play Tocker scored a goal for Stratford, but though play was kept in Inglewood’s quarters, the visitors could not increase their score before time was •■oundod. After the match Jim i Harris was iwarded a stick donated by the Inglewood Club’s president, Mr. W. E. Percival, for tho best player in tho Inglewood team in the match.