HOCKEY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3625, 23 August 1901, Page 3

HOCKEY.

THE REPRESENTATIVE MATCH.

The first hockey match of importance in Timaru, that between representatives from clubs in North and South Canterbury, was played on 1 the Amateur Athletic Club's ground yesterday afternoon, and attracted a fair attendance, several ladies being present and taking a great interest in the proceedings. The ground, with the exception of one or two places which were rather slippery, owing to the previous day's rain, was in very fine order, and the visitors were delighted with . the way in which' it played. The course was well marked out, and the spectators had plenty of room for an, uninterrupted view of the game. . The latter is said to be dangerous; it is to spectators who get very,close to the lines when drives are about. Now and then the ball is "lofted," and a smack from it is no joke. However, there were no accidents to speak of, and all enjoyed the novelty of a fast and brilliant game very , much.

Mr A. E. Good was the referee, and he j sounded the whistle very shortly after 2.30 p.m., North Canterbury (red and black) defending the eastern goal, and South Canterbury (blue and white) the western goal. South Canterbury got the best of the bully-off, but the visitors by short rushes gradually drove the ball to the home players' lines, where some exciting play resulted. The S.C. reps, then got on a rush and carried play right down the ground, where Millichamp had very hard luck in not shooting a goal. N.C. then got on a fine rush, and getting on to the circle, Patrick from just inside the line made a clean drive and registered the first goal. Some fast play in the centre folowed the bully-off, and though fortune at first favoured N.C.,. the local men were not to be denied, for by judicious driving to the line and good dribbling, they got to the circle, and Sturgess cleverly shot a goal. The game then became faster than ever, and it was astonishing how easily the ball got through the players. Half-time was called with the ball in neutral territory. The second spell opened very fast, with fine drives along the ground, speedy following up, and clever work on the line, the visitors' throws in being very tricky. From the neutral line N.C. at last came away with the ball on .their hooks, and keeping well together made a determined attack on the home lines, B. Barry at last getting an opening, and by a short hook driving the ball nicely between the posts. This score put South Canterbury hard oh their mettle, by short drives they raced down the ground, and despite the determined resistance offered, Sturgess and | Berry got together, and the latter shot a 1 goal. It was a really fine score, and very I exciting, both teams being massed inside the circle. With a few minutes to go, and honours even, all hands exerted themselves to the utmost, but smart line play took the ball down to the S.C. goal, where the visitors got a free hit and a bully in the .-circle followed. In this Strange got the best of it, and though Stock defended well, his drive struck a fellow player in the breast and off the rebound, Strange smartly sent the ball between the posts. It was the best score of the match, and Strange, who had shortly before been rather badly knocked out by a severe fall, richly deserved all the credit he got. From this out the visitors kept up their attack, and shortly afterwards, from a drive in at the S.C. corner, the coolness of Stock in catching the ball as it came over the bar saved a further score to the visitors. A real (rood game ended with the ball, just outside the home team's circle, and mutual and hearty cheers let the spectators know that the curtain had fallen on the first rep. hockey match in Timaru. Mr Good was a capital referee, and Messrs Kinvig and Duncan were efficient on the lines. The teams were well matched, and though many opportunities were given from appeals, each side had about an equal share of them. For North Canterbury Kennedy and Davis, among the backs, and Barry, Maher, Patrick, Wyllie and Strange among the forwards, played a veiy fine game; while for the local men. Stock (full-back) deserves great praise. He'

played a sterling game, and displayed great coolness at critical periods. Others wh6 did yeoman service were Sturgess, Berry, Lane (2) and Millichamp (2). A keen and interesting game or two like the game of yesterday would soon send hockey to the front here, and' lead to .that combination and steadiness which are so important inside the charmed circle.