HOCKEY.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 16138, 1 July 1924, Page 5

HOCKEY.

KOPUARAHI (3), ROVERS NIL

On Saturday afternoon the Rovers Hockey team journeyed to Kopuarahi and played a game of hockey in Mr W. Hale’s paddock. The ground was perfectly dry and in splendid condition the only disadvantage being that the grass was rather long in some places and playeers were liable to run-over the ball. Sexton captained the visitors, while T. O’Carroll acted for the home team. Sexton and Candy bullied off and Sexton gaining the advantage, passed to Griffin who repassed to that player and Thames looked dangerous to begin with, but Field with a brilliant drive up the "line to Hale saw' Rovers hard pressed and Roberts, time and again stopped the onslaught of the Kopuarahi forwards. Kopuarahi made several attempts to shoot at goal but each was well met by the goalkeeper, Rowe, and saved. From a bully-off, Thames forwards made some good rushes down the field, • but the strong defence of Field and Miller proved too hard to penetrate. Kopuarahi then took the offensive, and Hale neatly sending the'ball along the wing carried into the Rovers circle and scored first goal amidst great applause from the enthusiastic crowd who had gathered in great numbers to watch the match. Rovers then rallied and strove to equalise matters, but all to no avail, and the first spell ended: Kopuarahi 1, Rovers nil. During the second liaTF, Thames only on two occasions succeeded in getting the ball into the opposing circle, and Kopuarahi had the best of the game through out, adding two more goals to their score, one by McCaldon and the other By Candy. It was quite exciting to see McCaldon, O’Carroll and Candy making such brilliant passing rushes down the field and but for the splendid defence . put up by Roberts the full-back, the score would have been trebled. Of the Rovers forwards Sexton was out on his own, while of the backs, Roberts stood out and is undoubtedly one of the finest full-backs Thames has ever seen. Several of the Rovers’ players showed improvement, Griffin, Donkin, Jensen (2), Russell, Whelan and Walker being amongst.that lot. Of the home team, Field, who has again appeared on the Hockey field after an absence of two years, by his fine hitting enabled the forwards to make such great runs. Miller played a good game while W. Green is improving wonderfully. The Kopuarahi forwards: Hale, O’Carroll, Candy, McCaldon and Baignet by their splendid passing to each « other showed how the game should be played. Candy especially played with great dash. Mr E. Fearn was an unbiassed referee. After refreshments had been partaken of at Mr Hale’s house, Mr J. C. Miller on behalf of the captain and of the home team, made mention of the capable manner the referee had controlled the game, and also thanked the Rovers’ players for the sportmanlike manner in which they had accepted their defeat.