HOCKEY HOCKEY

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 71, 29 July 1929, Page 4

HOCKEY HOCKEY

FIRST TEST. WON BY AUSTRALIA. WANGANUI, July 27. Approximately 5000 witnessed Australia and New Zealand play in the first hockey test at Spriggens Park this afternoon. The, weather was fine and the ground dry, hut soft. New Zealand won tne initial bully, hut was driven hack by Fergusson. An exchange of shots found the Australians on the New Zealand line, hut the. hall went behind. From, the twenty-five bully, play went to hallway. A dangerous looking attack was repulsed by Pickard. Play continued in the New Zealand) half, where Hudson failed to centre. New Zealand attacked from the centre, hut was sent back by Grant. A strong forward rush hr Australia ended*, in Nettleton centring, hut a New Zea.land hack cleared. Thrush then carried the hall to the Australian circle. Another attack saw Heywood attempt a goal, hut Flnckardt cleared. Thrush then had a hand: in the New Zealand attack, but although a corner resulted, Australia stayed off the attack. Play went to the New Zealand end where infringements hy Australia were not made most of hy New Zealand. Stephens had a, shot, hut Pickard) was sound. Hard hitting hy the Australians led to two twenty-five bullies, hut New Zealand was still being pressed. The New- Zealand forwards broke away, but the visitors' backs proved safe.. Good stick work by the carried* play forward, but Hudson obstructed and New Zealand were relieved. A solid attack by the Australians was. relieved by Spiers, who put New Zealand on the attack, Robinson being prominent. Following a corner, Australia broke free, Nettleton having a shot, but Spiers relieved with a- good stroke to Pennington. The latter fell to Pulley and play was again in the New Zealand half. The visitors, however, were lacking in finish. At tin’s stage Spiers was frequently in evidence in defence, overhead hitting losing opportunities for Australia. Several twenty-fives were taken. Heywood! and Thrush were, associated in a good passing rush which drew Frockhardt out of the goal. New! Zealand kept up the pressure. Halftime came with Australia attacking. New Zealand attacked strongly in the second spell. The Australian, Wanless, retired with an injured nose and was replaced by Ooveter, lint the former resumed later. Roth ends were now beitm visited in quick succession., with New Zealand attacking. Hansen obstructed and a penalty bully was awarded. C. Connie, although beaten for the ball, was obstructed again, a. nenaltv goal being awarded, level v nlay followed, New Zealand forwards attacking strongly. Play went to midfield, where. Masoney rc*ceivcd a temporary ininrv. The New Zealanders amiin reached) the Australian circle, Thrush being repulsed hv C. Connie. Todkill was prominent in defending against a later attack. Now Zealand) was now''bav , ’n<r the better of the plav. Pennington’s shotj was cleared well Irv Todkill. The j game ended with no further score. j Australia I—Now Zealand 0.