HOCKEY FOR NORDON CUP

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1933, Page 5

HOCKEY FOR NORDON CUP

TARANAKI HOLDS TROPHY DANNEVIRKE BEATEN STO 2. | JJNE EXHIBITION OF STICK WORK. By five goals to two Taranaki defeated Dannevirke in a challenge for the Nordon Cup played at Eltham yesterday under ideal conditions. The game was fast and open and a splendid exhibition of stick work was given by both teams. Taranaki, however, produced much better combination, was definitely superior in attack and had the challengers on the defensive most of the game.

The forward combination of S. Betts, Surgenor and Watson played typical hockey and at times their attacks were brilliant They were well fed by Page and Duncan and made many hot attacks to worry the defenders. As goal Bennett was called upon several times and made excellent saves. The hitting of the Taranaki players was weak and uncertain at times, but this was well compensated for by other good movements. V. Betts and Irwin were not quite up to their previous form, but their little deficiencies were lost in the splendid combination of the team. Thomson, not quite at his best in the first spell, performed brilliantly in the later stages, when the visitors became more dangerous. Faulty shooting by Surgenor lost Taranaki several possible goals, but some of his other work made up for this. Dannevirke, too, was unlucky in some of its circle hits.

For Taranaki S. Betts scored three goals and Watson two, while for the challengers Dalzell and H. Tolmie scored one goal each. In the forwards, Dalzell and the two Tolmies were consistently active and played good, hard hockey. Hand in the backs and Patterson and Berrett in the forwards were also conspicuous. Much of Dannevirke’s play was good solo work. In the early stages the visitors lacked aggressiveness, but in the second spell their attacks became more dangerous and Taranaki was in peril on several occasions.

Most of the Dannevirke team are comparatively new players. Foreman, the goalie, being, the only member of this team to 7 be playing when Taranaki first challenged Dannevirke.

The Dannevirke Association has a splendid record. Becoming a separate association in 1926, it won the Nordon Cup from Wairarapa in 1927. It held the trophy against Hastings and Feilding in the same year. In 1928 Dannevirke withstood challenges by Wairarapa, Feilding, WairOa and Taranaki. In 1929 Dannevirke held the cup against Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Feilding and Wairarapa. In 1930 it lost the cup to Wanganui. In 1931 Dannevirke played a drawn game but lost the contest in 1932. The teams were;— TARANAKI Goal: A. Bennett. Full-backs: A. Ryan and M. Thomson. Halves: V. Betts, L. Page, R. Duncan. Forwards: R. Irwin, J. Watson, G. Surgenor, S. Betts, E. Heet DANNEVIRKE. Goal: E. A. Foreman. Full-backs: F. Hand, J. Cuff, Halves: A. Patterson, R. Berrett," A. O’Brien. Forwards: J. Jones, D. and H. Tolmie, C. Dalzell, W. Erickson. Duncan and S. Betts started off in good combination, the latter making a bad miss when nearing the circle. The visitors returned play with some clean shots, the hdme team also making good hits. Page and Thomson initiated good movements but were unable to penetrate the excellent defence. Erickson brought a couple of good hits to the circle, Duncan returning the most dangerous. S. Betts and Surgenor combined in a'run to the circle, where Surgenor gave “sticks.” A further good opportunity was lost with a penalty. A penalty was given against Dannevirke for undercutting, but Taranaki was unable to gain an advantage. Patterson and D. Tolmie figured in a rush to the other circle, but immediately Taranaki sent play to the other end, where Si Betts was unfortunate, his shot missing the net by inches. Irwin carried a sharp attack but he was well countered by Berrett, who used his stick advantageously. A penalty gave Taranaki a good opening but it was unable to get into position. From a loftg comer Surgenor centred to S. Betts, who shot a neat goal. Dannevirke reached the circle with Jones in a good position but Duncan sent a hard hit to clear. Berrett and H. Tolmie brought play to the circle, where the latter took a shot which was well saved by Berrett. This was Taranaki’s first narrow escape. Taranaki was again hard pressed in a fast rush to the circle and Jones took a shot which was well defended, Thomson sending a long hit to relieve. Once more Taranaki was near a goal, but obstruction gave a penalty. Duncan again saved a dangerous attack on the circle. Fast stick work followed and Taranaki made a sweeping rush to the circle, where Surgenor made a shot which was lifted and went ten feet over the bar. Surgenor later took another shot, an excellent save being made by Foreman. Taranaki again got into position but a hard shot lost the chance of a goal. Clever stick work and splendid combination by Page, S. Betts and Watson ended in Watson netting a 'well-earned goal. Surgenor again missed a shot at goal. Berrett and Patterson made a drive to the circle, where a smart hit by Duncan saved. At half-time Taranaki had a lead of 2 to nil. Immediately on resuming Taranaki attacked to the circle, where Foreman made a good save. Then Fleet centred, Page passed to S. Betts, and the latter netted a good'goal despite thick opposition. Hand made a good save after another hot attack by Surgenor. S. Betts scored again after some exciting play. Surgenor made a shot but Foreman returned the ball from his pads and S. Betts nipped in with a n.eat short hit to goal. .Watson was making a shot to the circle but Irwin, off-side, gave a penalty. In front of the circle a penalty was given against Cuff for carrying. Dannevirke cleared and Surgenor took another unsuccessful shot. An attack by Dannevirke caused trouble in front of Taranaki’s goal until Duncan cleared. Dalzell had a shot but Bennett turned it. A moment later Dalzell again tried a shot and netted after a good burst of play by the challenging forwards. Dannevirke became more aggressive and seriously threatened Taranaki’s goal, Page finally removing the danger. Taranaki attacked to the circle, Surgenor missing the net by 18 inches. The Tolmies brought play to the circle in a fine movement, Dalzell again missing his shot at goal. Dannevirke made a sweeping attack and by good shots and better combination H. Tolmie received the ball in a good position and goaled from a long shot. From a penalty comer Page sent to Watson, who made a splendid, quick shot into the net. Dannevirke again took a shot but Ryan made an effective save and play was returned, Watson losing his stick when taking a shot. Bennett again had to save a dangerous attack led by H. Tolmie. In the final stages there was a splendid display of stick work in the open field, the teams sharing honours.

The contest was a much harder and better one than that against Horowhenua. The next challenge is from Waipa, and the game will be played next week at Waitara. The referees were Messrs. R. A. Parton and J. Ebbett, - ELTHAM BEATS NEW PLYMOUTH. A'■‘curtain-raiser was played between New Plymouth and Eltham ladies’ teams, resulting in a win for Eltham by two goals to nil. Eltham was first to score, Miss R. Potts netting just before halftime. In the second spell New Plymouth held much territorial advantage and kept Eltham hemmed in. The defenders were rather weak in stick work for a time and the attackers by the better use of their sticks had many opportunities, but these they failed to utilise owing to imperfect combination. Mrs. Hutchison had an excellent shot in front of the net but missed the ball. Mrs. Barron also failed with an easy shot. Eltham made a series of attacks without result until Miss R. Potts again made a successful shot just before time. The referees were the Rev. J. A. Rybum and Mr. R. Johnson.