BRILLIANT STICK PLAY

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1935, Page 7

BRILLIANT STICK PLAY

NDIA WINS HOCKEY TEST

NEW ZEALAND EARLY IN LEAD.

FINE DEFENCE SAVES BIG SCORE.

DIFFERENCE IN STYLE OF GAME.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, June 22.

India beat New Zealand in the first hockey test by four goals to two this afternoon in a' garde that was full or brilliant stick play and clever defence. The two teams played an almost entirely different style of game. The visitors showed remarkable skill in passing and but for the very fine defensive play of New Zealand might have run up a very big score. Longish grass and a heavy ground probably hampered the In* dians. . . India opened play by taking the ball into New Zealand territory, where McLeod intercepted. The New Zealand goal was several times in danger. 4 Watts led the New Zealand forwards in a good run and passed at the exact moment to Dey, who opened the : score amid wild applause. India went away with a rush led by Wells, and a hot shot by Dhyan Chand was brilliantly saved by Moore in goal. The scene of play changed several times with startling suddenness. Several good rushes by the Indians were stopped, Rogers (full-back) and Bowden (half) .being applauded more than once fqr good defence. Dhyan Chand shot very hard from a penalty corner, but again Moore was safe. Dey for New Zealand sent in two hard shots from good centres. The first was turned out by Blake and the other went over the top. From a bully at India’s twentyfive New Zealand rushed in and Turbitt notched a second goal. India dominated the attack for the remainder of the spell, but Moore’s brilliant work saved a score. Half-time came with New Zealand two goals ahead. ’ India attacked on resuming. Masud ?ent the forwards away and Shahabuddin opened India’s score with a clever flick shot. Offensives by India were stopped in quick succession by Bowden, Rogers and Moore,' Presently Rup Singh equaL ised with a clever shot. India’s attacks were ceaseless, Wills, Rup Singh and Fernandes being most often seen and all showing dazzling stick work. Moore cleverly stopped a shot from Dhyan Chand and Wells netted from the rebound, putting India in the lead. The New Zealand backs distinguished themselves again and again on defence. Fernandes made an opening for Dhyan Chand, who attempted a back hand goal.’ Moore saved, but from the re-bound Wells hit the ball in the air, giving Moore no chance. About 12,000 people saw the match.