Waipa Retains White Horse Cup

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 92, 9 July 1927, Page 11

Waipa Retains White Horse Cup

FOURTH SUCCESSIVE YEAR DEFEAT OF WHANGAREI T> Y its defeat of Whangarei after a * E> close, hard battle at Remuera yesterday afternoon, Waipa has achieved the distinction of taking home the White Horse Cup for the fourth year in succession. Yesterday’s match, which was fought out in the finest sporting spirit, will be remembered as one of the best exhibitions of country week hockey seen in Auckland for many years. Congratulations to Waipa on its unique record and to Whangarei for its great effort to take the cup North again. DETAILS OF THE PLAY Waipa.—W. Douglas (captain), Carl, L. Spiers, Linehan, O. Finch, McDonald, T. Finch, H. Andrew, R. Andrew, G. Finch, C. Spiers. Whangarei. Postlewaite, ..Salmon, Johnson, Byles, Johns, Tupp, Draffln, Warm, Hewlett, Sloane, Hannan (captain). Referee: Mr. L. H. Norton. From the bully-off Whangarei secured the ball and dribbling smartly down the field reached Waipa’s circle, where a. big swipe flew over the top of the net. Waipa got away from the resultant twenty-five bully, and C. Spiers took control and dashing down the line let fly a hot one, but Postlewaite saved magnificently. A few moments afterward a penalty corner resulted against Waipa, but nothing came of it. Then play was transferred to opposite territory, and it was Whangarei’s turn to suffer a corner, but Waipa was unable to take advantage of the opportunity. A sensational break-away by Hannan and Sloane enabled Whangarei’s vanguard to invade Waipa’s circle, where a clever follow-in saw Hewlett push one into the corner of the net. Whangarei 1, Waipa 0. Further onslaughts found Waipa’s goal again in danger, but brainy work by L. Spiers removed the danger. An attack led by H. Andrew and G. Finch reached the blue’s circle, and the inside left essayed a difficult back-stroke, which just missed. Fast, exciting and open play followed, with both teams going “all out.” At this stage Whangarei was getting rather the better of matters, though there was not much to choose between the contestants. A penalty bully for a deliberate breach by a Whangarei man caused the defenders a few moments of anxiety. G. Finch, Waipa, and Salmon, Whangarei, took the bully, and after a false start Finch secured the ball, but only just misjudged the distance of the goalmouth. Half time sounded soon afterward, with the score I—o1 —0 in favour of Whangarei.

After the change-round Spiers, left winger for Waipa, took possession and made a fine run down the line, but Salmon at fullback intercepted and cleared with a big hit, which sent play to opposite territory. As a result of a hit by Carl, C. Spiers took the leather down to Whangarei’s end and sent across a splendid centre to H. Andrew, who ran in and equalised for Waipa, to the accompaniment of deafening applause from the red and whites’ supporters. Again Spiers got away and tried a vigorous shot, but Postlewaite saved. Whangarei retaliated, but Waipa’s backs were equal to the emergency. As time went on Whangarei’s half and forward line began to tire, and the game became ragged. Penalties were frequent on both sides, obstruction being too prevalent. After a lot of midfield work play went to Waipa’s circle, where a Waipa man obstructed A penalty was awarded the attackers, but after winning the two-man tussle, Hewlett lost a certain goal by turning on the ball. Up-and-down play followed, until T. Finch made one of his spirited runs down the line and carried the ball to the limit of the field. Accurately timing his stroke, he centred a crisp shot, and as the ball whizzed across the goal-mouth, C. Spiers on the other wing dashed in and speculated a dazzling shot past Postlewaite, who had no chance of stopping it. A minute afterwards the final whistle saw- Waipa the victors by two goals to one. PRESENTATION OF THE CUP At the conclusion of the game the president of the Auckland Hockev Association, Mr. L. C. Kent, handed over the White Horse Cup to the winning team. In making the presentation Mr Kent congratulated Waipa on takinghome the cup for the fourth year in succession. POSITION OF TEAMS The following tables show the records of the teams competing ir each grade:— A SECTION _ __ Goals. Ch. w - r - W. L. D. F. A. Pts Piaho .... 4 22 0 10 7 4 whakatane 3 1 1 1 •? « •* Franklin .... 3 0 2 1 2 5 1 B SECTION , Goals. Ch. . T- W. R. r>. F. A. Pts M hangarei .. :5 3 0 () 12 3 6 Rodney 3 2 1 0 19 6 4 fl auranga .... 3 0 2 1 5 17 1 King Country.. 3 0 2 1 5 15 i