WANGANUI 8 v. HOROWHENUA 0.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 4 September 1908, Page 4

WANGANUI 8 v. HOROWHENUA 0.

The ' Horowhenua rep; hockey team visited Wanganui for the first time yesterday, Svlien it suffered defeat by eight goals to nil. The game was played on Cook's Gardens, the ground being very fast. It was soon seen that the local forwards were on the job, their pace and dash being too much for their opponents. In the first half Coe and Soler each scored two goals for Wanganui. The defence of Smart was solid, he being the pick of the visitors' backs. The local halves started badly. Haas© wandered too much, and played too near to the centre. Bassett speculated too much, and missed badly. Hardwicke started badly, but improved as the spell went on. Wilson, at centre forward, put in a lot of work for the visitors. Their halves were only medium.

In the second half Horowhenua were aggressive, on several occasions, but their attack lacked finality;, the forwads were over-eager and bunched too much when in the circle. The halves snould have played closer up when on the attack. Three or four attempts at goal were saved by Miller, who was brilliant when called upon. Coe (2) feoler, and Bassett added to the Wario-a--nui score. • °

■On the whole, play was hardly up to rep form, the halves on both sides being weak. Bannister was easily the pick of the local trio. The right wing half tor the visitors was good. The local forwards showed considerable improve ment m combination, and should make things lively for the Auckland backs next week. Soler was inclined to hang back too much, probably through Bassett being weak. There was a lack or organisation in line play and corner hits. . Cave played a good game throughout , Hardwicke improved as the play went on. Il' + :R" ,Wak6lv toade a very competent referee.