REP. HOCKEY

Waipa Post, Volume 42, Issue 3314, 25 June 1931, Page 5

REP. HOCKEY

HAMILTON DEFEATS WAIPA.

A LIVELY CONTEST. Waipa Hockey Association's repretives journeyed to Hamilton on Wednesday afternoon to play Hamilton reps'., and a sterling contest eventuated, though the standard of play was hardly up to expectations. At times it was very fast and first-class hockey was played, but on occasions there was slackness that was. hardly excusable. Hamilton were soon on the attack, but L. Spiers relieved with a long shot. Again the home forwards swept through, but overeagerness spoiled a chance to score, and play was gradually worked back almost to Hamilton's circle. Ewan saved well, but could not get his team out of all the trouble, and Waipa invaded the circle with a hot attack that only broke down when Davies effected a lucky clearance. The Hamilton players were combining well, and this enabled them to put Waipa on the defensive. However, this did not last long and Waipa assumed the offensive, driving up the side line with some nice play. B. Spiers essayed a shot at goal, but it was deflected just outside the net. Within a minute another dangerous attack was stopped by Ewan, and a little later the ball was sent to midfield. In some hot play Hinton stopped neatly, and Jack conceded a corner. Overeagerneess spoiled Hamilton's chance of a goal, for offside play saw them penalised. The home forwards, playing well, attacked again, but Civil cleared, and put his front line on the attack. Ewan again saved by flicking Civil's shot to centre. A minute later Civil again centred, but the ball was missed by three or four Waipas and the home team cleared to midfield. Offside play spoiled the advantage for Hamilton, and Waipa again attacked. Ewan returned a difficult pass, but the Waipas pressed hard. Moore's shot at goal from just inside the circle went wide. Still the Hamilton forwards were doing better than their opponents, but they lacked finish, and thus good scoring opportunities were lost. Waipa forwards got possession in a handy position, and Wood shot to Civil, who returned it, and when it came to him again he shot for the net, but the ball was intercepted. B. Spiers had a shot a little later, but he also missed. Another corner to Waipa w as unavailing. Waipa kept up the pressure and were in Hamilton's circle several times, but Ewan saved cleverly. Another centre shot by Civil was taken by B. Spiers, but his shot just missed the net. Three times in as many minutes Waipa had shots at goal, and not one succeeded. Halftime came with no score. On resuming, each side had a turn at attacking, and in Waipa's effort Civil shot a fast low ball almost to the goalmouth before it was kicked clear. Still pressing hard, Waipa faced a corner, and B. Spiers' shot just grazed the post. The pace slackened somewhat, and Hamilton took up the attack; it soon resulted in a score. Davies netting from a pretty bit of passing. Stung by the reverse, Waipa forwards raced play right to the other end of the ground, and Wood neatly passed to B. Spiers, who goaled beautifully. With the scores even the pace increased, but Hamilton had improved their tactics, and were fighting hard for every inch of ground. Waipa however, were not to be denied, and soon G. Finch got a goal. A couple of minutes later Hamilton had" equalised, Davies netting from a dribbling rush. Again extra efforts were made by each team to gain an advantage, but the Waipas were kept out by good defensive play. Hamilton forwards got a clever rush along the side line, which enabled N. Ross to goal, making Hamilton 3 —2. Time was called shortly afterwards and thus a hardfought game ended in victory for the home team. Messrs C. S. Davis and R. McCaw refereed.

WAIKATO REP. TEAM. The following team has been selected to represent Waikato Hockey Association in its challenge for the New Zealand Shield at present held by Canterbury: Goalkeeper, Geo. Jack (Waipa); fullbacks, L. Spiers (Waipa), and T. Ewan (Hamilton); halves, T. Finch (Waipa), R. Munro (Hamilton) and G. Hearfield (Hamilton); forwards, 0. Civil (Waipa), A. G. Rogers (Hamilton), B. Spiers (Waipa), J. Davies (Hamilton) and Geo. Finch .(Waipa), Roy Hinton (Waipa) is twelfth man.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the selectors have paid a distinct compliment to Waipa, for seven of the twelve men chosen to make the trip are. Waipas. We understand' that the Waikato team is to play Hamilton at Hamilton on Saturday next, and probably will also meet a Waipa team at Te Awamutu next- Wednesday, for practice. The Canterbury reps, defend the shield on Saturday next against challengers from Buller, and there is, it seems, a possibility that if the West Coasters gain*!spssession the Waikato team will not be .able to challenge for it, for the simple reason that few if any of the team could get sufficient leave to permit them to travel to .the,,:West Coast, involving as it does an absence of over a week. Therefore, the result of next Saturdav's challenge game at Chnstchurch- will be awaited with.a good deal of interest in these parts. |