KAPONGA’S CHAMPIONSHIP

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1934, Page 9

KAPONGA’S CHAMPIONSHIP

MANAIA LOSES HARD MATCH. TARANAKI HOCKEY SUPREMACY. Kaponga retained the senior men’s hockey championship of Taranaki in the final match played against Manaia at Hawera yesterday, gaining the decision by the narrow margin of one goal to nil. The game was hard and fast, and the standard of hockey was generally good. Kaponga established its lead in the first half, when it held the upper hand. In the second spell, however, the champion team was badly disorganised, - and for most of the time Manaia dominated the game. Manaia should with reasonable luck have scored, and with a little more care would certainly have won. At least four or five fine chances went begging because of glaring mistakes in the circle. Payne made a splendid showing in the Manaia goal, saving brilliantly on several occasions. He was always cool and reliable. Davis and Budd were very steady full-backs. Duncan played a hard game, but was inclined to give sticks. Both Surgenors played well, and on the day G. Surgenor was well above S. Betts, his vis-a-vis. Both are provincial representatives. Morgan played an enterprising game, showing a sound knowledge of the game and a sure eye, but was careless with his stick. Marx showed up well on the wing and was responsible for several good sallies by Kaponga. Betts, inside him, was not up to his usual form. The teams were:—

Manaia: J. Payne; A. Davis, W. Budd; B. Myhill, R. Duncan, E. Bennett; S. Hemsley, B. Scannell, J. Surgenor, G. Surgenor, L. Budd. • Kaponga: McLeod; Pitcher, Noonan; Albon, V. Betts, Morgan, Marx, S. Betts, Pascoe, Behl, Cuff. Messrs. J. Ebbett and R. McKay refereed.

Manaia made the pace hard from the first bully, and rushed play to Kaponga’s twenty-five. The teams soon showed themselves evenly matched, however, and quick thrusts by the Kaponga forwards had the southern team defending strenuously in the circle. Five minutes of ranging play followed. Kaponga forwards suddenly rushed the ball into the circle. The goalkeeper was caught out of position, and although Davis and Budd backed up, the check was only temporary, and V. Betts lifted the ball over the heads of the defending backs and into the net. Solid hitting by Budd and Davis repulsed the Kaponga forwards and put their own vanguard on the attack. Payne fielded brilliantly a hard shot sent in shoulder high by Pascoe, and cleared behind the line. Kaponga was over the back line again within thirty seconds,. Manaia then took a hand and gave the Kaponga backs an anxious few minutes, being held up not two yards from the goal. .Morgan relieved the pressure with a dashing solo mn tip the centre, but his pass to S. Betts was intercepted neatly by Davis, who hit strongly upfield to return Manaia to the offensive. A pretty short-passmg rush among Cuff, Behl and Pascoe brought Kaponga to the circle. Payne was severely tried, but again cleared effectively. Kaponga was still hammering in the circle when the half-time whistle sounded . After a short spell of. indecisive play in midfield S. Betts and Marx took Kaponga well down the line. Betts centre, however, was intercepted in the circle by W. Budd, who cleared strongly to the side line. Manaia returned to the attack, but the ball was sent twice behind the goal. From a penalty corner Duncan secured possession, but a series of mishits in the circle lost Manaia a golden opportunity, and Kaponga was able to fight its way back to half-way. Another determined attempt by the southerners was spoilt by sticks in the circle, Noonan’s free hit giving Kaponga a respite. Manaia continued to hold a territorial adantage, but through constant mistakes failed to score. Hemsley centred perfectly, the ball passing in front of the goal about four yards away, but J. Surgenor missed it, and the chance was lost. Manaia forwards came back time after time, but inaccurate hitting and infringements kept them from their objective. The game ended with Manaia still in the circle and unable to score. Kaponga ......1 Manaia .......... ®