HOCKEY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 12866, 26 May 1905, Page 5

HOCKEY.

HW PLYMOUTH A. (3) V. CARRtNGTON ROAD (2).

'Much interest was attached to the iirst meeting, this season, of the New Plymouth A. and Carrington Road teams, which took place on the Racecourse ground on Thursday afternoon in ideal hockey weather. It , was apparent, soon after the start of Thursday gajne, that last year'sj champions are hardly as strong a combination this season, more especially > perhaps, in the backs, while the New Plymouth vanguard has been strengthened by the inclusion of Cathro (latterly of EJtham) and Hallett, (a prominent member of the > Aldington Seniors for . several seasons). The game on Thursday was undoubtedly one of the finest and most keenly contested ! inter-club matches for some time past, although it will be admitted, the better team won. The teams were : New Plymouth, Crawford (goal), A very and Jessop (full-backs), Day Real (captain) and S. George Cathro, \>ale, Lints, Woodhojise, and Hallett (forwards). Carrington Road : -. B. (McEwen (goal), A. McEwen and Tribe (fullbacks), S. 'McEwen, W. MteEwen and H. M*Ewen (halves), Jordon, Marett, P. McEwen (captain), Arch. McEiwen and Perham (forwards). Right from the bully off play was fast with New Plymouth defending the eastern goal. Carrington Road secured the advantage from a little give and take play, and getting the oval down in the "blues" territory, P. JfcEwcn and Marett took it on to striking distance, and the latter • getting a chance, opened the score for Carrington Road. For a time play was confined to within the "blues" territory, until the New Plymouth forwards got away, and aided "by Beal, chiefly, took the scene of action to their opponent's circle where . several fruitless swipes were made, and then Cathro got into the net, thus equalising the score. New Plymouth kept up the attack, and Beal sectiring the ball, a,«d beating several men, centred splendidly to Veale who successfully shot another for "town." Line work" followed, Perham occasionally getting away, but A very generally managing to find the touch line, and half-time sounded with play in mid-field and the score :<— New Plj'mouth 2 Carrington Road 1 On resuming it was evident that the w caters of the blue and white were determined to increase their lead, and for some time the ball seldom crossed their twenty-five line. Both sets of forwards were working fpr all they knew how. The , local men gradually forcing through, the next moment saw Vcale successfully shoot for goal, thus bringing the score three jto one in favour of New Plymouth. { Carrington Road very seldom looked particularly dangerous, and the "blues? were not satisfied, and ,B. McEwcn was again troubled and , mainly through overe>a<?erness New Plymouth lost another certain and easy goal, Tribe taking a free hit from his goal-line for a knock on. Time was going, and Carrington I load livened a little. P. McEwen got away, and when well up, sent a nice paW to Marett who notched Road's second goal, bringing the score, New Plymouth three, Carrington Road two. in tbe few moments which remained for nlay neither side could claim any advantage, and "time" sounded, leaving New Plymouth well-deserved winners wilh the score as above. It is hard to individualize among the winning forwards, for all worked hard for a win. Of tho backs, one man fchone out above all others, arid that was Heal, who gave . a particularly Jitte exhibition, both on the defence and the attack, and was the means of getting his side's second goal. Day and George also got in effective work. P. McEwen and Marett stood out prominently among the Carrington Road vanguard, working well together, and were dangerous if given any chances. Tribe and Stan MeEwen were also

rule.. Mr Rrooine mad<- an Efficient and impartial roferee. and uVfrvssrs Fisher (New Plymouth) and S. Paul (Carlinglon Road) were live umpires.