ON THE HOCKEY FIELD

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1933, Page 10

ON THE HOCKEY FIELD

COMMENTS ON THE PLAY THE GAME ON SATURDAY. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. (By “Sticks.”) Wanderers put itself a further two points in the lead of the Saturday competition by defeating Territorials last week and thus is practically assured of winning the competition. The game was rather disappointing in some ways, for Territorials although not as well combined as its opponent, nevertheless gave quite a bright display and certainly did not merit a score of 3-0 against it. The game was really fairly even, Territorials taking a good share of the attack, and the Wanderers’ goals were more the re- ' suit of individual effort than the completion of good combined play. The hero of the day aS far as the Territorial team was concerned was undoubtedly Holmes. This player has been improving considerably during the last two or three weeks, and on Saturday saved lus toam on innumerable occasions when the ’Wanderers’ forwards threatened to break through. Keenan gave the impression of not being as safe last week as at other '. times he has shown himself to be. - Smith was in good form, and was prominent in many a good forward rush. He was controlling the ball much better last week than he has been able to m the past Westwood was as usual a tower of strength as halflback. and was responsible ’for several good movements and for the successful breaking-up of many Wanderers’ offensives. Territorials suffered quite a severe loss when Matthews left New Plymouth for Wellington. He was always a clever player, and recently had been doing great work I in the forwards even though he was somewhat of an individualist Wanderers played quite a good game, but wasted a large -number.of. opportunities. The full-backs were consistently yafe and as a rule had little difncul y in repelling Territorials’ repeated attacks. Both L. Innes and Sole, however, are perhaps a little too slow. While they stand up excellently against the class of team seen in North Taranaki, they might very well find difficulty. in holding a really first-class set of forwards. Beaven showed great form on Saturday, a return to his old game before his compulsory spell interrupted it. His solo score was a clever effort. Page was really brilliant at times and is generally playing . very. much better •hockey than he showed in some of the ' /'earlier matches this season. Gibbins played a sound game, cutting through nicely on numerous occasions and following up well. Murtagh was probably the heart of the attack, Page excepted, and had always to be watched. He played a hard game, never letting up, but he showed at times a tendency to stray out of position. ; . Seven-a-side Competition. With the object of further stimulating interest in hockey in North Taranaki and to provide a change from regular competition matches the New Plymouth club is endeavouring to arrange a seven-a-side competition in the town. Details are as yet not complete but permission to hold the event, possibly on July 29, is being sought from the Taranaki Hockey Association. It is understood a cup is to be presented, and that it will probably be for open challenge throughout Taranaki or even New Zea- • * land.’ . ' Representative Games. Representative matches are now in full swing throughout the Dominion, and Taranaki is to play the second of a series of challenges for the Nordon Cup, which it holds, to-day at- Eltham. In view of the ease with which Horo■whenua was defeated, Taranaki support- . efs might well be optimistic as to the results, but Dtmnevirke is reputedly a very much stronger team than Horowhenua. ’ Horowhenua wdre not at full strength, four last-minute defections completely disorganising the team, every department of which was affected. However, Taranaki played fine hockey, the team being substantial the same as the one that did so well last season. The combination worked up since then was in evidence. Passing and stickwork were features of Taranaki’s play. The Taranaki forwards were in fine fettle, and the halves all played well: The, fullbacks, .Ryan and Thompson, and the goalkeeper, Bennett, had little to do. The game at Eltham to-day and the match with "Waipa on July 20 are so far the only Nordon Cup fixtures announced. . Championship Points. * The championship points in the Saturday division of the North Taranaki hockey competitions are as follow:—

Taranakl-Horowhenua Game. Tributes to the Taranaki team which so soundly beat Horowhenua in the Nordon Cup match at'Hawera last week are paid in the Otaki Mail. In comments on the game the Mail says: “The Taranaki representatives, some of whom played against the Indians and the Australian team, were in great form and then stick work was exceedingly fine. As a team they combined splendidly and outclassed Horowhenua. The latter’s backs, on the whole, were badly beaten, but the forwards were almost equal to Taranaki s best, but chances seldom came their way. The game was well won by superior hockey, and Taranaki is to be congratulated on its all-round play. Had Horowhenua had a few good backs the game would have been a much , better one. There vzas not a weak spot in the Taranaki team, each and every one playing splendidly. The team work was excel- ■ lent. Watson proved of great value to his side, perhaps being the pick of the forward line. Surgenor was another heady player, while Betts, Irwin and Fleet played in unison, their passing being good. The halves,’ V. Betts, Page and Duncan, were a remarkable trio, and they gave their forwards repeated opportunities. Ryan and Thomson (full) were always safe, while Bennett, in goal, had but very little to do. He was, however, always there when wanted.

Men’s Section. P W D L Pts. N.P. Wanderers ... ... 9 7 2 0 16 ... 8 5 2 1 12 ... 9 2 ?, 5 6 Opunake ......... ... 8 0 3' 5 3 Ladies’ Section. N.P. Rambers ... 3 1 2 0 4 ... 3 1 2 0 4 Y.W.C.A ... 2 0 0 2 0