HOCKEY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 156, 4 July 1934, Page 5

HOCKEY

I— (U» ■■ST/CKS") I ! -J

Though the rain which preceded last Saturday’s sport had made the grounds heavy and somewhat bumpy for hockey, there was no lack of keenness in the games which resulted. The standard of play naturally suffered through the conditions, but the close- | ncss of the final scores in many games I indicates that interest was generally maintained to the finish. * >:< « * ’ Of the five matches staged in the | men’s section, four were drawn and the | other was won by a margin of a single goal. All throe A section games were drawn. Taking into account Saturday’s results, the points in the men’s A section now stand:—

' After several disappointing displays, ! Star showed a return to form and held the leading team, Old Boys, to a draw. Old Boys lielded their strongest eleven, but failed to produce their usual finish. Perhaps the unusual ground conditions were partly responsible, but apart from such faults as overrunning the ball and mishitting, many promising movements broke down through offside. Bunching in the circle also prevented good shooting, and altogether the leaders’ failure to collect a full win was due as much to their own errors as to the sturdy defence of their opponents. Territorially Star had far less of the game than Old Boys, but actually held the lead for the greater part of the time. One of the weaknesses of this team appears to be in the failure of the half-backs to support the forwards on attack, though the intermediate trio certainly played exceptionally well on defence. * ♦ « • Y.M.C.A. have shown excellent form in their recent games and appeared likely to add to their success when they ran up a two-goal lead against i Hincmoa in the first spell. Last year’s champions were not to be denied, however, and by keeping up strong pressure in the second spell were able to notch the necessary goals to obtain the draw. Hinemoa are a force to be reckoned with and those who consider that Old Boys already have a mortgage on the championship would de. well to remember that there is still a chance that last year’s champions may upset calculations, as no team ii. the competition is playing better at the present time. It was gratifying to find Wesley able to field an eleven sufficiently strong to divide the honours with the improved Technical team. The game was a bright one and evenly contested from end to end Each side held the lead in turn and the ultimate result was a fair indiction of the merits of the play. Unusual keenness is being taken in the Ladies’ B section this season and the following is the position of the teams after last Saturday’s play:—

Old Bovs ]~ Star 1:: Hinemoa I.'! Y.M.C.A ]l) Technical s Wesley 5

Old Girls IS Kniwhniki .. -Id Wangaehu Girls’ College 8 Wanganui Kast d 'Collegians withdrew in the first